NCJ Number
37499
Date Published
1976
Length
19 pages
Annotation
THIS BOOKLET DESCRIBES A PHYSICIAN'S EXAMINATION OF AN ALLEGED RAPE VICTIM BY PRESENTING PROCEDURES FOR THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THE EXAMINATION AND ADVICE FOR THE PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING OF THE PATIENT/VICTIM.
Abstract
DUE TO THE EXPLICIT NATURE OF THE FILM, IT IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO MEDICAL, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND RAPE CRISIS CENTER AUDIENCES. THE BOOKLET (NCJ-37499) THAT ACCOMPANIES THE FILM IS AVAILABLE SEPARATELY. IT EMPHASIZES THAT CERTAIN STEPS SHOULD BE TAKEN PRIOR TO THE PHYSICIAN EXAMINATION. FIRST, THE PATIENT SHOULD BE PUT AT EASE. HER PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING IS OF PRIME IMPORTANCE. A PRIVATE ROOM SHOULD BE PROVIDED, AND A FEMALE NURSE SHOULD BE ASSIGNED TO HER FOR THE DURATION OF THE EXAMINATION. OBTAINING THE PATIENT'S INFORMED CONSENT IS VITAL BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH THE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION. THE HISTORY OF THE INCIDENT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT IN FUTURE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, AND IT SHOULD, THEREFORE, BE AS COMPLETE AS POSSIBLE. SEVERAL DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO THIS HISTORY-TAKING ARE POSSIBLE BUT THEY ALL NEED TO COVER THE SAME GROUND. THESE POINTS ARE LISTED AND DISCUSSED IN THE BOOKLET. GUIDELINES FOR THE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION ARE PRESENTED. PARTICULAR ATTENTION IS DEVOTED TO THE MEDICOLEGAL ASPECTS OF THE EXAMINATION, SUCH AS, 'CLEAR, CONCISE REPORTING HELPS TO KEEP THE PHYSICIAN OUT OF THE COURTROOM'. THE NECESSITY FOR THE INTEGRITY OF ALL TEST RESULTS IS EMPHASIZED. THE SECTION ON THE TREATMENT OF SEQUELAE COVERS VENEREAL DISEASE, PREGNANCY, AND PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA. THE BOOKLET'S APPENDIX CONTAINS A BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE STEPS IN A COMPLETE RAPE EXAMINATION. MATERIALS NEEDED, PROCEDURES, AND COMMENTS ARE PROVIDED FOR EACH OF THE 25 TESTS. A LIST OF MATERIALS NEEDED FOR A 'RAPE EXAMINATION KIT' IS INCLUDED. A WALL CHART IS ALSO AVAILABLE THAT REPRODUCES THE RAPE EXAMINATION OUTLINE. IT IS SUITABLE FOR DISPLAY IN A HOSPITAL OR CRISIS CENTER'S EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT. AN ACCOMPANYING FILM AND A WALL CHART ARE ALSO AVAILABLE - SEE NCJ-37498. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT) (SNI ABSTRACT)