Retrospective study of alleged rape victims attended at Forensic Medicine Department of Dhaka Medical College, Bangladesh

Abstract

Sexual assault is one of the fast growing violent crimes in Bangladesh. We carried out a retrospective study of 675 alleged rape victims out of total examined 1665 cases during 1994–2000. In the last seven years, 441 victims refused examination and a final report is pending in 2.4% cases due to non-availability of ancillary investigation reports. We found that 48.9% cases were sexually abused based on history, physical evidence and opinion of the examining doctor although high vaginal swab for spermatozoa was found to be negative in all cases. Out of 675 cases studied in this paper, 33.5% was in the 12–15 year age group, in 511 cases the assailant was known to the victims, 23.7% was reported and was examined within 72 h of occurrence, unmarried persons constituted 56.6% cases and 69.9% was literate. In 45.8% of the cases the victims were abused during the daytime. Non-genital violence was observed in 91 cases, 2.9% was admitted to the hospital, 2% reported with pregnancy, 0.4% reported with abortion and four cases had a history of previous abuse. Genital findings included hymenal rupture in 38.9% and 9.6% cases of forchette were found with recent tears. In 248 cases, opinion was negative due to delayed attendance, false charge and time-consuming procedures.