NCJ Number
190009
Journal
Child Treatment Volume: 6 Issue: 3 Dated: August 2001 Pages: 250-259
Editor(s)
Mark Chaffin
Date Published
August 2001
Length
10 pages
Annotation
This study investigated those factors predicting immediate medical care for women who were raped during childhood.
Abstract
Childhood rape occurs frequently in our society and is associated with adverse consequences. Despite the severity of these outcomes, there appear to be many obstacles for children to receive post-rape medical care. It is unclear what proportion of childhood rape victims receive post-rape medical examinations or what factors predict receipt of this medical care. One way to examine the receipt of medical care and rape-related health concerns following a childhood rape is to query adult survivors. This study examined predictors of receipt of medical care and assessed medical and health-related concerns among a nationally representative sample of adult women who reported a history of childhood rape. Data for the study were obtained from the final wave of the 2 year, longitudinal National Women’s Study. The results indicated that the majority of women did not receive medical care following their childhood rape. However, women raped as adolescents were more likely to receive a post-rape exam. A logistic regression analyses revealed that rape characteristics (e.g., reporting the assault, concerns about sexually transmitted diseases) mediated the relationship between age of victimization and receipt of medical care. Despite limitations, the study had significant strengths and findings that had important implications for health, education, and public-policy. This was one of the first nationally representative samples of women that included behaviorally specific questions for rape.