NCJ Number
160865
Journal
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice Volume: 35 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1996) Pages: 1-20
Date Published
1996
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Fourteen women who reported rape to the Sussex police (England) between 1991 and 1993 were interviewed in depth about their experience of the medical examination.
Abstract
Of the 14 victims interviewed, only two were entirely positive about the experience. Four gave a mixed response, as they were negative about some aspects of the procedure and positive or neutral about other aspects of it. Another four were mainly negative, but made one or two positive observations. Four were entirely negative. Positive comments focused on four themes: having a female doctor to perform the examination, the doctor's sensitive manner, the doctor's willingness to explain what was being done and why, and the presence of a sympathetic third party at the medical exam. Negative comments addressed the following four themes: examination by a male doctor, the doctor's insensitive manner and judgmental attitude, the way in which the examination was conducted, and the examination itself. The study suggests that more forensically trained female doctors must be recruited to conduct examinations on women who report sexual assault. Also doctors should limit their inquiries about the details of the rape, since this information is appropriately obtained by the accompanying officer. If the medical doctor needs such information to conduct portions of the exam, then it should be obtained from the police officer rather than the victim. 4 tables, 21 notes, and 20 references