Epidemiologic Analysis of Sexual Assault Victims in Northeast Area of Seoul

Lim, Hye Young; Oh, Eun Kyung; Lee, Ka Young; Ko, Ji Kyung; Lee, Chul Min; Cho, Yong Kyoon; Kim, Bok Rin; Choi, Hoon

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To analyse sexual assault cases epidemiologically.
METHODS
We evaluated 129 female patients who visited the female sexual assault center in northeast area of Seoul with a complaint of sexual assault. After patient's consent was obtained, history taking and physical examination was performed. Photographic record was obtained on appropriate sites. We reviewed their medical and standardized rape records and photographs retrospectively. Descriptive statistics was performed with medico-legal parameters.
RESULTS
Of 129 sexual assault victims, 44.2% were under 19 years of age. Spring was relatively vulnerable season for sexual assaults, vulnerable time was between 12 to 18 o'clock for victims younger than 14 years and between 0 to 6 o'clock for victims older than 13 years. Most frequent place was hotel for adolescent victims and was victim's house for other age groups. Sixty seven percent of assailants were strangers to the victims. Genital trauma was more frequent in victims younger than 20 years and alcohol use was more prevalent among adolescent victims. 82.2% of victims visited hospital within 24 hours and 91.4% of victims has destroyed potential physical evidences by bathing, douching, tooth brushing, changing clothes, defecation or urination. Follow up rates are low: 28.7% in obstetrics and gynecology clinic, 5.4% in psychiatric clinic.
CONCLUSION
This study provide more accurate information about epidemiology of sexual assaults.