NCJ Number
117466
Date Published
1988
Length
174 pages
Annotation
Written for health care professionals and others who deal with sexual assault victims, this volume is intended as a comprehensive reference tool for use in medical and medicolegal evaluations and in the effective physical and psychological management of victims.
Abstract
The text provides historical perspectives on sexual assault and explains legal issues related to the scope of the crime, penalties, corroboration, prior sexual history, and statutory rape. Guidelines are also given for taking the medical history, conducting the medical examination, and collecting evidence, whether by an individual practitioner or by a sexual assault team. The psychological impacts of sexual assault are also discussed, with emphasis on the different phases of response, post-traumatic stress disorder, grief reactions, the rape trauma syndrome, sexual dysfunction following, and responses of the family and the support network. Counseling goals, tasks, and techniques during the acute phase following the assault are outlined, with emphasis on the need to initiate a supportive relationship, help the victim regain a sense of control, acknowledge fear and guilt feelings, and educate the victim and family. Guidelines are also given for recognizing and collecting evidence and for treating the victim for the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. Tables, index, and 197 references.