Recent Rape Research Articles

The Effect of Systemic Racism and Homophobia on Police Enforcement and Sexual and Emotional Violence among Sex Workers in East London: Findings from a Cohort Study

There is extensive qualitative evidence of violence and enforcement impacting sex workers who are ethnically or racially minoritized, and gender or sexual minority sex workers, but there is little quantitative evidence. Baseline and follow-up data were collected among 288 sex workers of diverse genders (cis/transgender women and men and non-binary people) in London (2018–2019). Interviewer-administered and self-completed questionnaires included reports of rape, emotional violence, and (un)lawful police encounters. We used generalized estimating equation models (Stata vs 16.1) to measure associations between (i) ethnic/racial identity (Black, Asian, mixed or multiple vs White) and recent (6 months) or past police enforcement and (ii) ethnic/racial and sexual identity (lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) vs. heterosexual) with recent rape and emotional violence (there was insufficient data to examine the association with transgender/non-binary identities). Ethnically/racially minoritized sex workers (26.4%) reported more police encounters partly due to increased representation in street settings (51.4% vs 30.7% off-street, p = 0.002). After accounting for street setting, ethnically/racially minoritized sex workers had higher odds of recent arrest (adjusted odds ratio 2.8, 95% CI 1.3–5.8), past imprisonment (aOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1–5.0), police extortion (aOR 3.3, 95% CI 1.4–7.8), and rape (aOR 3.6, 95% CI 1.1–11.5). LGB-identifying sex workers (55.4%) were more vulnerable to rape (aOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1–5.2) and emotional violence. Sex workers identifying as ethnically/racially minoritized (aOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.0–4.5), LGB (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.0–4.0), or who use drugs (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.8) were more likely to have experienced emotional violence than white-identifying, heterosexual or those who did not use drugs. Experience of any recent police enforcement was associated with increased odds of rape (aOR 3.6, 95% CI 1.3–8.4) and emotional violence (aOR 4.9, 95% CI 1.8–13.0). Findings show how police enforcement disproportionately targets ethnically/racially minoritized sex workers and contributes to increased risk of rape and emotional violence, which is elevated among sexual and ethnically/racially minoritized workers.

“Unless you’ve got a conviction, there’s not much you can do”: Rethinking long-term disruption and exit strategy in RASSO investigations

Purpose This paper aims to evaluate how five Operation Soteria Bluestone (OSB) participating forces integrated principles of procedural justice and proactive disruption of offending into their investigations, specifically during the closing stages of a case when considering exit strategy and longer-term prevention. Design/methodology/approach A mixed-methods approach was taken, including 32 semi-structured interviews with officers and 59 case reviews of recent rape and serious sexual offences (RASSO). Data analysis methods included qualitative thematic analysis of interviews, while data from reviewed case logs was extracted and analysed using a bespoke case review tool. Findings Increased workloads, preparation of evidence and relational/communication difficulties with the crown prosecution service (CPS) were identified as barriers to implementing long-term disruption options. Dedicated resourcing, training and support are needed to promote suspect-focused investigative strategy and wider uptake of long-term disruption methods. Early investigative approach was also found to have “snowball” effects on suspect exit strategy, with initial lack of suspect focus and preoccupation with victim credibility, impeding consideration of long-term disruption and safeguarding options. Findings also point to a disparity between promising practice in relation to procedural justice for victims and (a relative lack of) proactive policing of repeat suspects. Originality/value The study represents a novel contribution to research on policing RASSO, illustrating the scale and nature of the obstacles to changing how these offences are investigated, even when under intense scrutiny from policy makers. It also highlights how increased organisational investment and support is linked to positive changes in practice in some forces.

Pathways to adverse pregnancy outcomes: exploring the mediating role of intimate partner violence and depression: results from a South African rape cohort study

Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs) are common occurrences that contribute to negative maternal and child health outcomes. Our aim was to test the hypothesis that trauma exposure and depression are drivers of the better-recognised risk factors for miscarriage, abortion and stillbirths. Our comparative cohort study based in Durban, South Africa recruited women who reported a recent rape (n = 852) and those who had never experienced rape (n = 853), with follow-up for 36 months. We explored APOs (miscarriage, abortion or stillbirth) among those having a pregnancy during follow-up (n = 453). Potential mediators were baseline depression, post-traumatic stress symptoms, substance abuse, HbA1C, BMI, hypertension and smoking. A structural equation model (SEM) was used to determine direct and indirect paths to APO. Overall, 26.6% of the women had a pregnancy in the follow-up period and 29.4% ended in an APO, with miscarriage (19.9%) the most common outcome, followed by abortion (6.6%) and stillbirths (2.9%). The SEM showed two direct pathways from exposure to childhood trauma, rape and other trauma, to APO which were ultimately mediated by hypertension and/or BMI, but all paths to BMI were mediated by depression and IPV-mediated pathways from childhood and other trauma to hypertension. Food insecurity mediated a pathway from experiences of trauma in childhood to depression. Our study confirms the important role of trauma exposure, including rape, and depression on APOs, through their impact on hypertension and BMI. It is critical that violence against women and mental health are more systematically addressed in antenatal, pregnancy and postnatal care.

The Effect of Systemic Racism and Homophobia on Police Enforcement and Sexual and Emotional Violence among Sex Workers in East London: Findings from a Cohort Study

There is extensive qualitative evidence of violence and enforcement impacting sex workers who are ethnically or racially minoritized, and gender or sexual minority sex workers, but there is little quantitative evidence. Baseline and follow-up data were collected among 288 sex workers of diverse genders (cis/transgender women and men and non-binary people) in London (2018–2019). Interviewer-administered and self-completed questionnaires included reports of rape, emotional violence, and (un)lawful police encounters. We used generalized estimating equation models (Stata vs 16.1) to measure associations between (i) ethnic/racial identity (Black, Asian, mixed or multiple vs White) and recent (6 months) or past police enforcement and (ii) ethnic/racial and sexual identity (lesbian, gay or bisexual (LGB) vs. heterosexual) with recent rape and emotional violence (there was insufficient data to examine the association with transgender/non-binary identities). Ethnically/racially minoritized sex workers (26.4%) reported more police encounters partly due to increased representation in street settings (51.4% vs 30.7% off-street, p = 0.002). After accounting for street setting, ethnically/racially minoritized sex workers had higher odds of recent arrest (adjusted odds ratio 2.8, 95% CI 1.3–5.8), past imprisonment (aOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.1–5.0), police extortion (aOR 3.3, 95% CI 1.4–7.8), and rape (aOR 3.6, 95% CI 1.1–11.5). LGB-identifying sex workers (55.4%) were more vulnerable to rape (aOR 2.4, 95% CI 1.1–5.2) and emotional violence. Sex workers identifying as ethnically/racially minoritized (aOR 2.1, 95% CI 1.0–4.5), LGB (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.0–4.0), or who use drugs (aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1–3.8) were more likely to have experienced emotional violence than white-identifying, heterosexual or those who did not use drugs. Experience of any recent police enforcement was associated with increased odds of rape (aOR 3.6, 95% CI 1.3–8.4) and emotional violence (aOR 4.9, 95% CI 1.8–13.0). Findings show how police enforcement disproportionately targets ethnically/racially minoritized sex workers and contributes to increased risk of rape and emotional violence, which is elevated among sexual and ethnically/racially minoritized workers.

EXPOSURES TO INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AND NON-PARTNER SEXUAL VIOLENCE ARE ASSOCIATED WITH HYPERTENSION IN SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN

Objective: South African women suffer from a dual burden of gender-based violence and hypertension. Studies suggest abuse exposures may increase the risk of hypertension by contributing to psychological stress, but this association has not been clearly described. This study described the associations of intimate partner violence (IPV), non-partner sexual violence (NPSV) and sexual harassment (SH) exposures with hypertension, and potential mediators of those associations in South African women aged 18 to 40 years. Design and method: Baseline data from the Rape Impact Cohort Evaluation study, including history of sexual, physical, emotional and economic IPV, NPSV and SH were examined using validated questionnaires. Hypertension was based on measured blood pressure (equal or higher than 140/90 mmHg) or a previous diagnosis. Logistic regression models examining the associations between various types of IPV, NPSV and hypertension adjusted for traditional hypertension risk factors and other traumatic exposures including recent rape incident. Mediation effects of body mass index, HIV infection, current smoking, alcohol binge drinking, depressive symptom scores and post-traumatic stress symptom (PTSS) scores on the associations using multiple mediation models adjusted for age and recent rape exposure. Results: Among 1742 women, 218 (12.5%) had hypertension. Hypertension prevalence was higher in women with, compared to without, a history of all four types of IPV (15% vs. 9%), sexual (19% vs. 11%), physical (16% vs. 9%), emotional (17% vs. 9%) and economic IPV (19% vs. 11%); NPSV (18% vs. 11%) and SH (29% vs. 11%), (p-values were equal or above 0.001). More than one episode of NPSV (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.63; 95%CI: 1.27–2.67), any SH (aOR: 2.56; 95%CI: 1.60–4.03), frequent physical (aOR: 1.44; 95%CI: 1.06–1.95) and emotional IPV (aOR: 1.45; 95%CI: 1.06–1.98), and greater severity score of emotional IPV (aOR: 1.05; 95%CI: 1.02–1.08) were associated with hypertension. Current depression, PTSS and/or alcohol binge drinking completely or partially mediated these associations. Conclusions: The modifiable associations of IPV, NPSV and SH with hypertension highlight that, while gender-based violence must be prevented, public health interventions should incorporate monitoring blood pressure of violence victims, determining a history of violence in hypertension patients, and providing counselling.

The Associations of Intimate Partner Violence and Non-Partner Sexual Violence with Hypertension in South African Women

This study describes associations of intimate partner violence (IPV), non-partner sexual violence (NPSV) and sexual harassment (SH) exposures with hypertension in South African women aged 18–40 years. Baseline data (n = 1742) from the Rape Impact Cohort Evaluation study, including a history of sexual, physical, emotional and economic IPV, NPSV and SH were examined. Hypertension was based on blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg or a previous diagnosis. Logistic regressions were adjusted for traditional hypertension risk factors and previous trauma (e.g., recent rape). Hypertension was more prevalent in women with a history of all forms of IPV, NPSV, and SH, all p ≤ 0.001, compared to women without. Frequent NPSV (adjusted odds ratio: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.27–2.67) any SH (2.56; 1.60–4.03), frequent physical (1.44; 1.06–1.95) and emotional IPV (1.45; 1.06–1.98), and greater severity of emotional IPV (1.05; 1.02–1.08) were associated with hypertension. Current depression, post-traumatic stress symptoms and/or alcohol binge-drinking completely or partially mediated these associations. This study shows that exposure to gender-based violence is associated with hypertension in young women. Understanding the role of psychological stress arising from abuse may enable the development of prevention and management strategies for hypertension among women with histories of abuse.

The view from the hinterland: caste, gender and press freedom in Hindi news reporting

ABSTRACT The limits to press freedom in India are usually surveyed from the top-down, with a focus on government efforts to censor journalists, particularly English-language journalists. In this essay, we instead examine India's restrictive press culture by focusing on the sociological workings of Hindi language news production, studying ways in which everyday journalism practices intersect with freedom of expression. The paper first traces the history of Hindi journalism alongside the development of press freedom. It then analyzes mainstream Hindi media coverage of the recent murder and rape of a “lower caste” woman in rural India. Our analysis reveals how the sociological realities of casteism and patriarchy merged with self-censorship to enable media cover up of the rape case. We then draw on interviews with Hindi journalists to illuminate the reasons behind censorship in such cases and in news media more broadly. We argue that a combination of structural, ideological, and historical conditions has limited the growth of press freedom in India. We further suggest that top-down approaches that focus exclusively on English-language media cannot adequately capture the dynamics of news reporting on the ground, and that contemporary news media can only be holistically understood by studying the “non-global,” Indian language press.

Women’s Bodies and the Evolution of Anti-rape Technologies: From the Hoop Skirt to the Smart Frock

In this article, we explore smart deterrents and their historical precedents marketed to women and girls for the purpose of preventing harassment, sexual abuse and violence. Rape deterrents, as we define them, encompass customs, architectures, fashions, surveillant infrastructures, apps and devices conceived to manage and protect the body. Online searches reveal an array of technologies, and we engage with their prevention narratives and cultural construction discourses of the gendered body. Our critical analysis places recent rape deterrents in conversation with earlier technologies to untangle the persistent logics. These are articulated with reference to the ways that proto-digital technologies have been imported into the realm of ubiquitous computing and networks. Our conceptual framework offers novel pathways for discussing feminine bodies and their messy navigation of everyday life that include both threats to corporeal safety and collective imaginings of empowerment.

A secondary analysis of a brief video intervention on suicidal ideation among recent rape victims.

Although rape has been linked to risk for suicidal ideation and attempts, there are scant data on the efficacy of brief interventions to reduce suicidality among recent rape victims. This secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial investigated whether a video intervention delivered in the emergency department (ED), cortisol measured at the ED, and prior rape history predicted postrape suicidal ideation independently or in combination with the other predictors. Participants were 235 women aged 15-71 years who presented to the ED for a sexual assault medical forensic examination and were randomly assigned to either receive a video intervention that addressed avoidance and promoted healthy coping strategies or standard care prior to the examination. Participants also provided a blood sample for cortisol and completed at least one of three follow-ups at 6 weeks, 3 months, or 6 months postrape. The intervention conferred protection against suicidal ideation among women with elevated cortisol and a prior rape; however, it did not reduce risk for women without a prior rape, particularly those with elevated cortisol. It may be important to consider the influence of prior rape and neuroendocrine reactivity in developing treatments to address suicidal ideation among rape victims. More specifically, there appears to be value in screening victims for prior rape and administering this brief intervention to reduce suicidal ideation; however, other avenues should be explored for victims without a prior rape history. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

The Role of Discrimination Experiences in Postrape Adjustment Among Racial and Ethnic Minority Women.

Although recent studies have linked discrimination frequency among Black and Latinx individuals to PTSD symptom severity, to our knowledge, these associations have yet to be examined among a diverse sample of recent rape survivors. The current secondary analysis of existing data examined the role of discrimination experiences in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, depression, and alcohol and drug problems among a racially and ethnically diverse sample of recent rape survivors. Participants were 139 Black (48.2%; n = 67), American Indian (18.7%; n = 26), Hispanic (15.1%; n = 21), and mixed race (17.3%; n = 24) girls and women age 15 or older who presented to the emergency department (ED) for a sexual assault forensic medical exam. They were randomly assigned to one of three intervention conditions, and completed a six-month postrape follow-up, including questions about mental health, substance use problems, and discrimination experiences. Regression analyses revealed that Black women experienced discrimination in significantly more situations and with greater frequency compared to American Indian and Hispanic women. Discrimination frequency was positively associated with PTSD and depression symptoms even after controlling for age, education, race, and intervention condition, but was not associated with alcohol or drug problems. Findings highlight the importance of attending to the heterogeneous experiences of discrimination among racial and ethnic minority women. Future work should adapt evidence-based early interventions to be maximally effective at combating both racial and sexual trauma exposures.

Medications at the Emergency Department After Recent Rape.

Rape is associated with myriad negative physical and mental health effects, yet little is known about medical prescribing following rape-related emergency room visits. The goal of this study was to examine factors associated with medications prescribed the same day as a sexual assault medical forensic examination (SAMFE). A total of 939 medical records (93.9% female) of a medical university in the Southeastern United States between July 1, 2014, and May 15, 2019, were paired with Sexual Assault Nurse Exam records. Demographic and assault characteristics were examined as correlates of medications prescribed at the emergency department within the same day of a SAMFE. All individuals were offered medications within the national guidelines. Intimate partner violence (IPV) was negatively associated with antibiotic prescriptions and with emergency contraception prescriptions. Genital injury and male gender of victim were positively associated with antiviral prescriptions. Non-genital injury was positively associated with both over-the-counter and prescription pain medication prescriptions. Report of strangulation was positively associated with accepting over-the-counter but not prescription pain medication. IPV and strangulation were positively associated with psychotropic prescriptions. Although specific medications were offered to individuals during the SAMFE, demographic and assault characteristics were associated with medication acceptability.

Early intervention with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to reduce the severity of post-traumatic stress symptoms in recent rape victims: a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT Background: About 40% of rape victims develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) within three months after the assault. Considering the high personal and societal impact of PTSD, there is an urgent need for early (i.e. within three months after the incident) interventions to reduce post-traumatic stress in victims of rape. Objective: To assess the effectiveness of early intervention with eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy to reduce symptoms of post-traumatic stress, feelings of guilt and shame, sexual dysfunction, and other psychological dysfunction (i.e. general psychopathology, anxiety, depression, and dissociative symptoms) in victims of rape. Method: This randomized controlled trial included 57 victims of rape, who were randomly allocated to either two sessions of EMDR therapy or treatment as usual (‘watchful waiting’) between 14 and 28 days post-rape. Psychological symptoms were assessed at pre-treatment, post-treatment, and 8 and 12 weeks post-rape. Linear mixed models and ANCOVAs were used to analyse differences between conditions over time. Results: Within-group effect sizes of the EMDR condition (d = 0.89 to 1.57) and control condition (d = 0.79 to 1.54) were large, indicating that both conditions were effective. However, EMDR therapy was not found to be more effective than watchful waiting in reducing post-traumatic stress symptoms, general psychopathology, depression, sexual dysfunction, and feelings of guilt and shame. Although EMDR therapy was found to be more effective than watchful waiting in reducing anxiety and dissociative symptoms in the post-treatment assessment, this effect disappeared over time. Conclusions: The findings do not support the notion that early intervention with EMDR therapy in victims of rape is more effective than watchful waiting for the reduction of psychological symptoms, including symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Further research on the effectiveness of early interventions, including watchful waiting, for this specific target group is needed.

Rape survivors in South Africa: analysis of the baseline socio-demographic and health characteristics of a rape cohort

ABSTRACT Background Little is known about women who have experienced a recent rape, and how they differ from women without this exposure. Identifying factors linked to rape is important for preventing rape and developing effective responses in countries like South Africa with high levels of sexual violence. Objective To describe the socio-demographic and health profile of women recently exposed to rape and to compare them with a non-rape-exposed group. Methods The Rape Impact Cohort Evaluation Study (RICE) enrolled 852 women age 16–40 years exposed to rape from post-rape care centres in Durban (South Africa) and a control group of 853 women of the same age range who have never been exposed to rape recruited from public health services. Descriptive analyses include logistic regression modelling of socio-demographic characteristics associated with recent rape exposure. Results Women with recent rape reported poorer health and more intimate partner violence than those who were not raped. They had a lower likelihood of having completed school (Odds Ratio [OR] 0.46 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.24–0.87) and dependence on a government grant as a main source of income (OR 0.61: 95%CI 0.49–0.77). They were more likely to live in informal housing (OR 1.88 95%CI: 1.43–2.46) or rural areas (OR 2.24: 95%CI 1.61–3.07) than formal housing areas – however they were also more likely to report full-time employment (OR 4.24: 95%CI 2.73–6.57). Conclusion The study shows that structural factors, such as lower levels of education, poverty, and living in areas of poor infrastructure are associated with women’s vulnerability to rape. It also shows possible protection from rape afforded by the national financial safety net. It highlights the importance of safe transportation in commuting to work. Preventing rape is critical for enabling women’s full social and economic development, and structural interventions are key for reducing women’s vulnerability.

Systematic Review: Effectiveness of psychosocial interventions on wellbeing outcomes for adolescent or adult victim/survivors of recent rape or sexual assault.

Sexual assault and rape are common forms of sexual violence/abuse. The psychological/health consequences represent significant and ongoing harm. It seems imperative that victim/survivors receive evidence-based support within first response settings. To assess what psychosocial interventions work for victim/survivors of a recent sexual assault. Twenty-seven electronic databases were systematically searched. Narrative data synthesis was used to read across studies. Reporting format follows PRISMA checklist. Ten studies were identifed including range of interventions. The evidence is sparse and scientifically weak, common flaws are reviewed. There is some weak evidence for the impact of video and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) based interventions, especially trauma processing. There is a gap in the evidence base on psychosocial interventions for victim/survivors of sexual assault and higher quality research is required.

Communicating Absence of Consent is not Enough: The Results of an Examination of Contemporary Rape Trials

In a study of 40 adult rape jury trials, aimed at identifying how and why the questioning process in rape trials results in re-traumatisation, researchers noticed how often adult women complainants gave evidence of clearly expressed lack of consent – through words or conduct or a combination of both. In 26 cases the complainant also gave evidence of multiple attempts to negotiate the desired limits of sexual intimacy. Her evidence was challenged in cross-examination and during closing arguments by emphasis on aspects of her conduct argued to be indicative of consent. Clearly articulated absence of consent was not a predictor of convictions, even in the Aotearoa New Zealand Sexual Violence Court Pilot. Only 13 of these 26 cases resulted in a guilty verdict. In this article, I will examine how the narratives about consent in recent adult rape trials illustrate the ongoing significance of feminist critiques of the concept, particularly its efficacy regarding gendered sexual violence, as well as counselling caution about expectations of a reformed definition of consent.

Psychological Distress During Pregnancy: Cross-Sectional Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in a South African Sample.

The prevalence and risk factors associated with peripartum psychological distress-a unifying factor among common mental disorders (CMDs)-are not widely understood in underresourced settings. Cross-sectional data were collected from 664 pregnant women who reported for antenatal care at any of one of the 11 midwife and obstetrics units in Cape Town, South Africa. The prevalence of prepartum psychological distress was 38.6%. Associated factors included low socioeconomic status as measured by asset ownership (odds ratio [OR], 1.45; 95% CI, 1.24-1.68), recent physical abuse and/or rape (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.57-2.40), complications during a previous birth (OR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.01-1.38), and having given birth before (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.21-2.14). The high prevalence of psychological distress is consistent with those found in other South African studies of peripartum CMDs. If effective context-specific interventions are to be appropriately designed, closer investigation of a broader symptomology associated with peripartum CMDs in these settings is warranted.

Acute Stress Symptoms After Forcible and Substance-Involved Rapes.

In the early aftermath of a sexual assault, survivors often experience symptoms of distress including reexperiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal symptoms. However, less is known about associations between rape characteristics and the nature of early reactions. We designed the current study to examine the unique and combined associations between force and substances during rape on acute stress symptoms. Participants were 56 women (ages 18 to 58) who completed a sexual assault medical forensic exam in the emergency department within 120 hours of the rape and then completed a follow-up clinical phone screening within 30 days of the forensic exam. Follow-up assessments included characteristics of the recent rape (force, substances), history of prior sexual assault, demographics, and symptoms of acute stress. Multivariate regression analyses revealed that, after controlling for prior sexual assault, sexual orientation, and race/ethnicity, there were no significant differences on any symptom cluster by rape type. However, this study involved a small, difficult-to-reach sample and, therefore, was only powered to detect large effect sizes. We encourage more research examining potentially unique, early symptom presentations for substance-involved rapes.

Predicting College Women's Body-Esteem and Self-Esteem Based on Rape Experience, Recency, and Labeling.

We examined body-esteem and self-esteem based on rape experience, rape labeling status (yes; no) and recency of rape (recently, within past year; earlier, between age 14 and the past year). Undergraduate women (n = 1,005) completed the Body-Esteem Scale, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and Sexual Experiences Survey. Women raped within the past year (recently) reported lower levels of both body-esteem and self-esteem than those raped over a year ago (earlier) and nonvictims, but women raped earlier did not differ from nonvictims. Rape labeling status was not significant. Findings identify lower body-esteem, in addition to lower self-esteem, as correlates of recent rape.

Évaluation des coûts directs de la prise en charge en urgence d’une victime de violences sexuelles

BackgroundThe Forensic medicine reform in 2011 enabled the development of forensic units specialized in multidisciplinary care of victims of criminal offences. Thanks to an annual budgetary allocation, the Ministry of Justice handles the financing of judicial acts, while the health care facilities assume the medical, psychological and social aspects. The objective of this study was to determine the direct costs of medical care provided to rape victims (such as defined in the article 222-23 of the Penal Code) in order to see how its funding could be reconsidered to prevent any additional cost that could be caused by non-sufficient medical, psychological and social care. Furthermore, this first assessment may serve as a basis for further reflection on creating other medical judicial units but also for reviewing existing structures. MethodsThe direct costs for medical care of a recent rape victim (<48hours) was quantified by including staff and consumables costs, treatments, biological tests and other expenses. ResultsThe overall time for the entire medical care procedure was approximately three hours, for an overall cost of 673.92€, of which 41.5 % (279.90€) was paid by the Ministry of Justice. The medical, psychological and social aspects stood for the major expenditure items (394.02€), attributable mainly to the biological screening tests for sexually transmissible infections (STIs). ConclusionThese frequent situations require the convergence of human and material needs with a financial burden shared between the Ministry of Justice and health establishments. Authors suggest that in the annual hospital budgetary allocation allotted by the Ministry of Justice, the care of victims of sexual assault be based on the rate of day hospitalization “Medicine, medical specialties part time day or night common regime”, allowing to provide optimal multidisciplinary care, which lessens the risks of complications and reduces the global cost created by these situations.

Disability and Risk of Recent Sexual Violence in the United States.

To examine the relative prevalence of recent (past 12 months) penetrative and nonpenetrative sexual violence comparing men and women with and without a disability. Data are from the 2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, a national telephone survey of US adults, and includes an expansive measure of sexual violence victimization. A total of 9086 women and 7421 men completed the telephone survey in 2010. Compared with persons without a disability, persons with a disability were at increased risk for recent rape for women (adjusted odds ratio = 3.3; 95% confidence interval = 1.6, 6.7), and being made to penetrate a perpetrator for men (adjusted odds ratio = 4.2; 95% confidence interval = 1.6, 10.8). An estimated 39% of women raped in the 12 months preceding the survey had a disability at the time of the rape. For women and men, having a disability was associated with an increased risk of sexual coercion and noncontact unwanted sexual experiences. In this nationally representative sample, men and women with a disability were at increased risk for recent sexual violence, compared to those without a disability.