Sexual Assault Research Articles

Enhancing the forensic sexual assault investigations with LAMP-based male DNA detection.

Enhancing the forensic sexual assault investigations with LAMP-based male DNA detection.

Sexual Assault in Canadian Sport

Sexual Assault in Canadian Sport

Advancing forensic body fluid identification: A comparative analysis of RT-LAMP+CRISPR-Cas12a and established mRNA-based methods.

Advancing forensic body fluid identification: A comparative analysis of RT-LAMP+CRISPR-Cas12a and established mRNA-based methods.

Sexual trauma and interest in mobile health among women with mental illness in Ghana.

Sexual trauma and interest in mobile health among women with mental illness in Ghana.

Audio‐Visibility in a Guinean Trial: Sexual Justice and the Procès 28 Septembre

ABSTRACTWhat does it mean to be audible and visible before the law and the public? Whose rights are preeminent? Who decides? In this article, I examine two moments of testimony from rape victim–witnesses in a high‐profile criminal trial in the Republic of Guinea. The Procès du massacre du 28 septembre 2009 was a case against an ex‐Guinean president and members of his regime, charged with orchestrating mass political and sexual violence in 2009. The case was televised from the start, but victims of sexual assault were granted the right to testify privately. While the principle of open justice holds that trials should be accessible to the public and transparent for defendants’ rights, certain witnesses may find such exposure risky. Audiovisual technologies in the courts have raised the stakes around these choices of open justice and protective measures. Victim‐witnesses attempt to manage their audio‐visibility as they negotiate between publicity and privacy in real time, working out what it means to be audible and visible in and as a pursuit of sexual justice.

Variations in When Survivors Disclose Nonconsensual Sexual Experiences: An Examination of Sexual and Gender Identity

Sexual and gender minority individuals experience higher rates of sexual assault and endure more severe consequences of sexual victimization than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. Sexual and gender minority survivors also face significant barriers to timely disclosure, including stigma and fears of negative reactions from others, which may preclude access to informal and formal support resources. Given this prior research, we investigated differences in the timing of survivors’ disclosures of nonconsensual sexual experiences by sexual and gender identity. We hypothesized that sexual and gender minority survivors would report a longer time interval between their victimization and their first in-person disclosure compared to heterosexual and cisgender survivors. We analyzed data from a sample of sexual assault survivors recruited online through social media ( N = 540), all of whom had at least one prior experience of nonconsensual sexual contact and had made at least one in-person disclosure. Disclosure timing was measured on a 5-point, ordinal scale with an inequal interval structure (e.g., within 24 hr, 1 month, 1 year, 10 years, or 10+ years). Results of ordinal logistic regression models supported our hypotheses. Results revealed significant disparities in the timing of sexual assault disclosure among minoritized survivors. Sexual minority survivors reported longer delays in disclosure than heterosexual survivors, and gender minority survivors reported longer delays in disclosure than cisgender survivors. Overall, these results may help explain mixed findings in the literature regarding disclosure rates by sexual and gender identity and highlight a need to address the unique barriers encountered by sexual and gender minority survivors to improve help-seeking behavior and overall outcomes.

Need for Setting Up of Smart Bio Toilets for Slums in India

The SDGs include the provision of safe drinking water and sanitation as one of its primary objectives since it is an essential human right. Women and girls in India's urban slums still suffer serious safety hazards due to the lack of proper sanitation, which has been the subject of several policy debates. Using findings from the National Sample Survey and other relevant studies, this investigation looks at the accessibility of water and sanitation facilities in the slums of Delhi. The results show that physical and sexual assault occurs when 30% of marginalised women use public restrooms, and that 70% of adolescent girls endure daily humiliation. Also, many teenage females stop going to school because of the lack of proper sanitation. Despite advancements in slum infrastructure, ensuring access to safe and clean sanitation continues to be a significant concern. A practical answer to the problems of water shortages and inadequate plumbing is the installation of bio-toilets. If you're looking for a sustainable and safe alternative to public restrooms, bio-toilets are a great choice. In order to provide safe spaces for girls and women in slum regions, this article stresses the critical requirement of government agencies and NGOs working together to install environmentally friendly bio-toilets.

The Consequences of Sexual Harassment in Australian Nightlife Settings

Sexual harassment and assault are common in Australian nightlife settings; however, the consequences of such harm and factors influencing patrons’ vulnerability to negative outcomes remain under-researched. This study aims to examine (a) the consequences of nightlife-related verbal (e.g., unsolicited sexual comments) and physical (e.g., groping) sexual harassment/assault, as well as pressured sexual contact and (b) the factors associated with these consequences, including demographics, prior experiences of sexual harassment, and frequency of nightlife attendance. Australian adults ( N = 467; 72% women) who had experienced sexual harassment in nightlife settings in the past 12 months were recruited via social media advertisements and an online panel service (aged 18–64, Mdn = 25, IQR = 22, 29). Participants completed an online survey examining their experiences and consequence of nightlife sexual harassment. Very few participants reported no negative consequences following experiences of verbal harassment (2%), physical harassment/assault (4%), or pressured sexual contact (5%) in a nightlife setting in the prior 12 months. Anxiety (56%–63% range), discomfort (51%–62% range), and anger (44%–52% range) were the most frequently reported consequences. Negative binomial regression analyses found that identifying as a woman or gender-diverse, working as venue staff, and experiencing multiple harassment types was associated with reporting significantly more consequences for verbal sexual harassment. For physical sexual harassment, younger age, infrequent nightlife attendance, and experiencing multiple harassment types were associated with greater consequences, while for pressured sexual contact, only gender was significant, with women reporting more consequences than men. Sexual harassment in nightlife settings is associated with significant adverse emotional and behavioral outcomes, particularly among women, gender-diverse individuals, and those subject to multiple forms of harassment. Preventive interventions must be implemented to reduce nightlife-related sexual harassment and the associated consequences.

Public transport systems and safety of female commuters in low-and-middle-income countries: a systematic scoping review

BackgroundThis scoping review systematically maps and summarises research evidence concerning the safety of female commuters in public transport systems across Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). Given the essential role of public transport in LMICs, particularly for women in both formal and informal sectors, understanding the safety challenges they face is crucial.MethodsWe followed the Arksey and O’Malley methodological framework to structure this scoping review. The Population (Females), Concept (safety in public transport/transit), and Context (LMICs) framework guided our eligibility criteria. We searched for original research articles in PubMed, EBSCOhost (CINAHL, PsycInfo, and Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition), SCOPUS, and Web of Science published between 2012 and 2023, and updated in February 2025. We additionally searched Google Scholar platform, and the reference list of included studies to uncover any additional relevant literature. The study selection and data extraction were performed by two reviewers using pilot-tested forms. Thematic analysis was used to organise the data into themes and a narrative summary of the findings is presented.ResultsOf the total 114 articles obtained from the database searches, 26 studies published in 14 countries met the inclusion criteria. The review identified a paucity of research in this area, with an average of three relevant papers published per year. The existing literature is geographically imbalanced, with a predominant focus on South Africa, India, and Malaysia, leaving many LMICs underrepresented. Most (11 out of 26) studies employed quantitative methods, leaving a need for more diverse research methodologies. Widespread concerns, fear of assault and harassment among women commuters across various countries; underreporting of sexual harassment, prevalence of violence against women in public transport systems with its psychological, economic, health, and social consequences; and transit sexual assault were among the themes identified.ConclusionThis scoping review reveals the urgent need for further research on the safety of female commuters in LMICs, especially in underrepresented countries, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by women in diverse contexts. It advocates for diversified research methods, public awareness campaigns, improved reporting mechanisms, policy reforms, infrastructure enhancements, and culturally sensitive initiatives to ensure the safety and well-being of female commuters in public transport systems across LMICs.

Men's Sexual Interest Perceptions and Sexual Harassment/Assaults Against Women: Mediating Effects of Sexual Refusal Cognition Bias.

Sexual harassment and assault against women are global and public issues that must be addressed. Previous studies indicate that men's misunderstanding regarding women's sexual consent may be a key factor in sexual harassment and sexual assault cases. The underlying mechanism for the association between men's sexual interest perception and sexual harassment/assault behavior, however, remains unclear. In this study, we explored whether cognition bias (i.e., sexual refusal cognition bias, which include interpretation bias and behavioral intentions) mediated the association between men's sexual interest perception and sexual harassment/assault against women. A sample of 280 heterosexual Chinese men were recruited. A measure of sexual refusal cognition bias was developed, encompassing two factors: interpretation bias and behavioral intentions. Sexual refusal cognition bias was significantly associated with sexual harassment and sexual assault. Sexual interest perception had a significant indirect effect (β = 0.130/0.071) on sexual harassment and sexual assault through serial mediations of interpretation bias and behavioral intentions. These findings may be valuable in enhancing an understanding of sexual violence against women and contribute to sexual assault and sexual harassment prevention and education efforts.

Toxicological findings in Swedish cases of suspected drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA)

Suspicion of proactive drug-facilitated sexual assault (DFSA) where the perpetrator covertly administers psychoactive drugs to the victim has been reported in considerable proportions from sexual assault centers and forensic units all over the world. Substances implicated in DFSA are often referred to as ‘date-rape drugs’. This study investigated toxicological findings in cases of suspected proactive DFSA presenting to the Emergency Clinic for Rape Victims in Stockholm, Sweden within 48 h of the assault. Urine samples for toxicological analysis were collected on the first visit to the clinic. During follow-up 10–14 days later, participants provided a control urine sample and reported voluntary intake of alcohol, recreational and prescription drugs in connection with the assault according to a standardized protocol. Urine samples were subjected to extensive toxicological LC-MS/MS analysis that covered common recreational drugs and >100 DFSA-associated substances. 31 out of the 55 women who presented to the clinic after a suspected proactive DFSA during the study period returned for follow-up and completed the study. Almost all women (97%) reported voluntary alcohol intake in connection with the assault, which exceeded 70 g ethanol in half of the cases. Unexpected toxicological findings were made only in five cases (16%), with the most common substance being cocaine. No typical date-rape drug was identified in cases where involuntary intake was considered likely. In conclusion, the greatest risk factor exploited by perpetrators of DFSA appears to be voluntary alcohol intoxication, while toxicological evidence of illicit drugging is rare.

Screening for Intimate Partner Violence in College Health Settings: A Brief Review of the Literature and Recommendations for Research and Practice.

This brief review proposes a set of empirically based recommendations for the development and implementation of screening measures for intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault (SA) in campus health settings. We synthesize the current literature on IPV/SA screening practices on college campuses. Given the limited research available on this topic, we also draw on work related to IPV screeners in general health care settings and campus climate surveys. There is limited research on IPV/SA screening practices for college campuses. Findings indicate that IPV/SA screening practices are rare and inconsistent in student health care settings. In addition, there are methodological limitations regarding the utility of general population screeners in college health settings. Recommendations for IPV college screeners are provided and address administration, content, and organizational structure.

Prevalence of child abuse and common mental comorbidity among university of Khartoum medical students, Khartoum, Sudan

IntroductionChild abuse and neglect are significant public health issues worldwide, with severe and lasting effects on children’s mental and physical well-being. Despite being prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Sudan, limited research has been conducted on this topic. This study investigates the prevalence of childhood abuse and neglect among Sudanese medical students and explores its impact on their mental health.MethodsThis cross-sectional study involved 313 medical students from the University of Khartoum. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire that included the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-28) and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Statistical analyses were conducted using non-parametric tests and multiple linear regression to identify correlations and predictors of psychological distress. Propensity score matching was also performed to check the effect of gender matching on the results.ResultsApproximately 40% of students reported experiencing childhood trauma, with sexual abuse (23.3%) and emotional neglect (19.2%) being the most common types. Female students reported higher levels of psychological distress (p = 0.049). Students who experienced abuse or sexual assault had significantly higher distress levels (p = 0.001 and p = 0.014, respectively). Still, this significance disappeared after matching Emotional abuse showed the strongest correlation with psychological distress (r = 0.405), followed by emotional neglect (r = 0.232). Regression analysis revealed that past abuse, sexual assault, and emotional abuse were significant predictors of distress, with emotional abuse having the most substantial impact both before (p < 0.001) and after matching (p-value = 0.005).ConclusionChildhood maltreatment is common among Sudanese medical students and significantly affects mental health, particularly emotional abuse and neglect. The only type of abuse which significantly contributed to psychological distress was emotional abuse. More focus is needed towards emotional abuse as it is still hidden, unlike physical and sexual abuse, which show visible marks. More researches need to be done toward addressing the domains of emotional abuse and how to prevent it.

Forensic Psychiatric Evaluations of Juvenile Sexual Offenses and Criminal Responsibility Assessments.

Forensic Psychiatric Evaluations of Juvenile Sexual Offenses and Criminal Responsibility Assessments.

Forensic Microbiology: Challenges in Detecting Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Sexual assault crimes consist of acts committed without consent and represent a major global issue with serious implications for victims. These acts have both short- and long-term consequences on the physical, mental, and sexual health of victims, with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) being one of the direct outcomes of such crimes. Sexually transmitted infections constitute a serious global public health problem and can lead to severe consequences. These infections may be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites and are transmitted through sexual contact. Some of the most common STIs among the general population and victims of sexual crimes include gonorrhoea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and syphilis. In most carriers, these infections are asymptomatic, making their detection particularly challenging. Considering the importance of further research in this field, the primary objectives of this study are to review the existing literature on the incidence of major STIs in victims of sexual crimes, to identify the various risk factors associated with these infections, and to explore their public health implications. Additionally, this study aims to assess different STI detection techniques, analyzing their advantages and disadvantages. Studies on this topic are crucial for better understanding the role of sexually transmitted infections in the context of sexual crimes. However, throughout this work, it was verified that point-of-care methods are a good option to allow the diagnosis to be faster and more accurate, when compared to other methods of detecting sexually transmitted infections.

Partner-Inflicted Brain Injury: Intentional, Concurrent, and Repeated Traumatic and Hypoxic Neurologic Insults.

(1) Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused from rapid head acceleration/deceleration, focal blows, blasts, penetrating forces, and/or shearing forces, whereas hypoxic-anoxic injury (HAI) is caused through oxygen deprivation events, including strangulation. Most service-seeking domestic violence (DV) survivors have prior mechanistic exposures that can lead to both injuries. At the time of our study, some evidence existed about the exposure to both injuries over the course of a survivor's lifetime from abuse sources, yet little was known about their co-occurrence to the same survivor within the same episode of physical intimate partner violence (IPV). To better understand the lived experience of service-seeking DV survivors and the context in which partner-inflicted brain injury (PIBI) is sustained, we sought to understand intentional brain injury (BI) exposures that may need to be addressed and accommodated in services. Our aims were to 1. characterize the lifetime co-occurrence of strangulation and intentional head trauma exposures from all abuse sources to the same survivor and within select physical episodes of IPV and 2. establish the lifetime prevalence of PIBI. (2) Methods: Survivors seeking DV services in the state of Ohio in the United States of America (U.S.) completed interview-administered surveys in 2019 (n = 47). Community-based participatory action approaches guided all aspects of the study development, implementation, and interpretation. (3) Results: The sample was primarily women. Over 40% reported having Medicaid, the government-provided health insurance for the poor. Half had less than a postsecondary education. Over 80% of participants presented to DV services with both intentional head trauma and strangulation exposures across their lifetime from intimate partners and other abuse sources (i.e., child abuse, family violence, peer violence, sexual assault, etc.), though not always experienced at the same time. Nearly 50% reported an experience of concurrent head trauma and strangulation in either the first or last physical IPV episode. Following a partner's attack, just over 60% reported ever having blacked out or lost consciousness-44% experienced a loss of consciousness (LOC) more than once-indicating a conservative estimate of a probable brain injury by an intimate partner. Over 80% of service-seeking DV survivors reported either a LOC or two or more alterations in consciousness (AICs) following an IPV attack and were classified as ever having a partner-inflicted brain injury. (4) Conclusions: Most service-seeking IPV survivors experience repetitive and concurrent exposures to abusive strangulation and head trauma through the life course and by intimate partners within the same violent event resulting in brain injury. We propose the use of the term partner-inflicted brain injury (PIBI) to describe the physiological disruption of normal brain functions caused by intentional, often concurrent and repeated, traumatic and hypoxic neurologic insults by an intimate partner within the context of ongoing psychological trauma, coercive control, and often past abuse exposures that could also result in chronic brain injury. We discuss CARE (Connect, Acknowledge, Respond, Evaluate), a brain-injury-aware enhancement to service delivery. CARE improved trauma-informed practices at organizations serving DV survivors because staff felt knowledgeable to address and accommodate brain injuries. Survivor behavior was then interpreted by staff as a "can't" not a "won't", and social and functional supports were offered.

Safety messaging and prevention of sexual assault on a university campus

ABSTRACT This study captured the general attitudes of a frontier university campus body with regard to sexual assault prevention messaging and victim blaming. University employees and students (N = 327) completed an anonymous online survey. Analyses indicated that the respondents ascribed to a high level of female-focused safety messages that put the burden of safety on women, validating victim blaming. Findings indicate that allocation of blame to victims increased in situations of date or acquaintance rape. The vast majority of respondents stated that they listen to a partner’s wishes, yet they did not ask for consent. The university community indicated a high degree of readiness for intervention models. Additionally, the study results have important implications for campus responsibility which should be informed by institutional, structural, social, and cultural factors, rather than female-focused precautions and messaging.

Relationship Between Different Types of Violence and Mental Health in Adults from Northern Mexico.

The aim of this study is to analyze the relationships between different types of violence (social, cyberbullying, partner violence, and child abuse and neglect) and mental health (depression, anxiety, stress, self-esteem, and paranoid thoughts). There were 421 adult participants, 18 years or older, from the cities of Juarez (n = 202), Chihuahua (n = 99), Parral (n = 57), Nuevo Casas Grandes (n = 50), and other (n = 13), located in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. The mean age was 37.7 (SD = 12.3) years and 64.8% of the sample reported being females. Mental health variables were measured with the Patient Health Questionnaire, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Paranoid Thoughts due to Social Violence Scale. Types of violence were measured with the Victimization Scale, the Partner Violence Scale, the Child Abuse and Neglect Scale, and the Cyberbullying-Victimization Scale. Pearson correlations and multiple linear regressions were used to analyze the relationship among mental health and violence variables. The main findings show that participants from the different cities have experience social violence such as kidnapping, sexual assault, carjacking, among others. Most correlations were statistically significant; guilt (child abuse) and cyberbullying had the highest correlations with mental health. In the regression analyses, the same variables, guilt and cyberbullying, had the strongest and statistically significant standardized betas with mental health. Our findings indicate that interventions should not be limited to preventing and addressing social violence alone; other forms of violence among adults must also be taken into consideration.

Rape myth acceptance, sexism, and mental representations of women who have experienced sexual assault

ABSTRACT Despite being exceedingly common, individuals who have experienced sexual assault are often hesitant to report an assault to friends, family, or police in fear of being disbelieved. People who endorse rape myths and sexist attitudes are less likely to believe disclosures, and survivors who violate stereotypes of how they should look or act are met with skepticism. However, little is known about whether or how stereotypes regarding sexual assault survivors vary from person to person. The current study used a novel technique to generate images that approximate individuals’ mental representations of a woman who disclosed an experience of sexual assault. Results demonstrated that individuals who endorsed more rape myths and sexist attitudes were more likely to stereotype a woman who had experienced a sexual assault as relatively untrustworthy and invulnerable. Findings highlight a novel mechanism for explaining how attitudes might manifest into skeptical responses of survivor disclosures; potential implications for interventions are discussed.

Vitamin C and E Abrogate Myelin, Oligodendrocyte and Inflammatory Markers of Rohypnol Exposed Amygdala in Adult Rats

Rohypnol, scientifically known as flunitrazepam, is a potent benzodiazepine medication primarily prescribed for the treatment of severe insomnia and as a pre-anesthetic medication. However, its reputation has been tarnished by its misuse as a recreational drug and its association with drug-facilitated crimes, particularly sexual assault. However, its potent sedative effects can lead to memory impairment, loss of motor coordination, and respiratory depression, especially when combined with alcohol or other central nervous system depressants. This study aims to investigate and establish the mechanism and novel potential of vitamins C and E on the myelin, oligodendrocytes, and inflammatory markers of the Rohypnol-exposed amygdala. Twenty-five male adult Wistar rats were divided into five groups: the control group was exposed to normal grower mesh and water, 1 mg/kg of Rohypnol, 1 mg/kg of Rohypnol + 100 mg/kg of vitamin C, 1 mg/kg of Rohypnol + 100 mg/kg of vitamin E, and 1 mg/kg of Rohypnol + 100 mg/kg of vitamins C and E, and the test groups were exposed for 28 days. In the last three days of exposure, neurobehavioural tests were conducted. Animals were euthanized, and their hearts were flushed with saline 24 hours later after the last exposure. The brains were harvested by making an occipitofrontal incision for biochemical and histological assessment. The fixation was done in 10% neutral buffered formalin for 48 hrs following the brain mapping to isolate the brain tissue of interest. The vitamin C- and E-exposed rats showed significant (p&lt;=0.05) progressive improvement in their behaviors, including the oxidative stress markers, when compared to the control. In conclusion, this study has shown that good antioxidants such as vitamins C and E are very much effective as neuroprotective agents and thus have great antioxidant ameliorative properties for the Rohypnol-induced amygdala of the Wistar rats.