Penile-vaginal Penetration Research Articles

Anogenital findings and hymenal diameter in children referred for sexual abuse examination

A retrospective chart review was done on all patients referred for sexual abuse examinations between July 1984 and April 1987. There were 140 patients: 116 girls and 24 boys, ages 1–16 years. Ten boys (41%) and 57 girls (49%) had abnormal anogenital findings consistent with molestation. The frequency of anogenital findings increased depending on the extent of manipulation alleged, from 39% for cases of fondling only to 74% with alleged penile vaginal penetration. Anal findings were seen in 57% of children alleging penile rectal penetration. Horizontal hymenal diameter increased according to age (1–5 years, mean = 0.54 cm; 6–9 years, 0.97 cm; 10–12 years, 1.17 cm) and, within each age group, according to degree of manipulation alleged (1.29 cm for penile penetration vs. 0.89 cm for fondling only in 6 to 9-year-olds). Normative data for hymenal diameter in nonabused children is still needed.

Penile glycogenated epithelial cells as an indicator of recent vaginal intercourse.

Occasionally, suspected male rape assailants are examined, in part to recover evidence of recent sexual intercourse. Glycogenated squamous epithelial cells are felt to be specific for the vagina, and if recovered from the penis, they are indicative of penile vaginal penetration. From the 45 periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stained postcoital penile smears examined, 36 (81%) contained PAS-positive cells. Precoital penile smears were all negative. Both precoital and postcoital urethral meatus smears contained many PAS-positive cells. The authors conclude that recovery of PAS-positive cells from the penile shaft is strong presumptive, but not definitive, evidence of recent vaginal intercourse.

The prevalence and seriousness of incestuous abuse: Stepfathers vs. biological fathers

Analysis of interviews obtained from a random sample of 930 adult women in San Francisco revealed that 17% or one out of approximately every six women who had a stepfather as a principal figure in her childhood years, was sexually abused by him. The comparable figures for biological fathers were 2% or one out of approximately 40 women. In addition, when a distinction was made between Very Serious Sexual Abuse (including experiences ranging from forced penile-vaginal penetration to non-forceful attempted fellatio, cunnilingus, and anal intercourse) and other less serious forms, 47% of the cases of sexual abuse by stepfathers were at the Very Serious level of violation compared with 26% by biological fathers. Possible explanations for these startling discrepancies are discussed, and some of the implications for remarriage are considered.

Incidence and situational factors surrounding sexual assault against delinquent youths

This study reports the results of extensive interviews with an intact sample of moderately delinquent adolescents concerning their sexual assault histories. Findings indicate a surprisingly high incidence of victimization among the females interviewed which, the authors suggest, may characterize the larger population of delinquent females. The behavioral-situational contexts of reported victimization experiences are examined for salient commonalities and the following composite rape scenerio can be cast from the data: An unsupervised, 14-year-old female, who has been consuming alcohol or marijuana, is sexually assaulted, following threat and/or force, to the point of penile-vaginal penetration, by an older male friend or acquaintance (who has also consumed alcohol or marijuana) in his home or vehicle or other place where she is inherently unprotected. Some comments are offered concerning the requirements of an effective technology of child rape prevention.