Medico-legal approach to sexual assault victims: The Belgian situation

Munnynck, K. De; Houwer, L. De; Bronselaer, Koen; Hanssens, Myriam; Voorde, Wim Van de

doi:10.1016/j.jcfm.2006.02.013

Cited by 10 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Coinciding with Fayoum's results in this study, De Munnynck et al (2006), in the study conducted in Belgium between 1997-2002, reported that rape and other types of sexual violence consist about 0.5% of all reported crimes, and the majority of the cases were rape [17]. Karanfil et al (2013) following Fayoum's results in the present study, reported that the most common type of sexual assault was vaginal penetration (49.4%), while about 36.3% had anal penetration and 18.5% had only foreplay [8].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Medico-legal study of alleged sexual assault cases in Fayoum and Aswan governorates from 2010 -2016: comparative study

Al-Galad

Ghaleb²,

Mohamed³

et al. 2022

Fayoum University Medical Journal

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Introduction:Sexual assault is one of the most annoying crimes, which occur in all cultures, worldwide. That affects the health, reputation, and safety of the victim, particularly, females. Aim of the study:The present study aims to recognize the most susceptible age group to be sexually assaulted and demonstrate physical injuries associated with the assault. Subjects and Methods:The study included 265 alleged sexual assault cases of different age groups. All participants were examined medico-legally in the Fayoum and Aswan Departments of Forensic Institute. We collected the retrospective data during the period starting from January 2010 to the end of December 2016. Results:The socio-demographic data of the sexually assaulted victims of the study showed a statistically significant association between the age and gender of the studied victims of sexual assault in Fayoum and Aswan. Male victims were more likely to be sexually assaulted in the age group <18 years (89.47%). Female cases in the age group (18-40 years old) in Fayoum were more subjected to sexual assault, while those less than (18 years old) in Aswan were more subjected to sexual assault. Conclusion:Evaluation of physical abuse yields solid medico-legal opinion in most cases. In contrast, the nature of genital and anal injuries was more confusing. That raises a lot of uncertainties. Therefore, rapid medico-legal assessment of the victims of sexual crimes along with the cautious interpretation of findings is advisable.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 78%

Medico-legal study of alleged sexual assault cases in Fayoum and Aswan governorates from 2010 -2016: comparative study

Al-Galad

Ghaleb²,

Mohamed³

et al. 2022

Fayoum University Medical Journal

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“…17 In these cases, the medical and psychological forensic examination of victims in Portugal is a competence of the National Institute of Legal Medicine (Law 45/2004 of 19 August), as a guarantee of a trained and skilled intervention and the legal validity of the proof. This type of forensic intervention is supported by other authors [18][19][20] because the forensic doctor may be less vulnerable to the conflict of interests that arises when a doctor working therapeutically with a victim and his/her family is asked to give a forensic opinion on causation. 10 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual abuse of children. A comparative study of intra and extra-familial cases

Magalhães

Taveira

Jardim

et al. 2009

Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine

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“…In case of children, participants stated that beside gynaecologists ( n = 34; N = 57) also paediatricians ( n = 29; N = 52) or forensic physicians ( n = 18; N = 52) can offer the required support. Nurses mainly have a supportive function in the acute and long-term care for SV victims, as commissioned by the Belgian law system [ 44 ]. However, answers varied widely within different services of a hospital, indicating the absence of a standard protocol.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As the Belgian system only allows a physician to conduct a forensic examination and treatment initiation [ 44 ], it requires legal permission to let a forensic nurse provide acute medical, forensic and psychosocial support.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Establishing Sexual Assault Care Centres in Belgium: health professionals’ role in the patient-centred care for victims of sexual violence

Vandenberghe

Hendriks

Peeters

et al. 2018

BMC Health Serv Res

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BackgroundHaving ratified the Convention of Istanbul, the Belgian federal government commits itself to the foundation of Sexual Assault Care Centres (SACC). In the light of researching the feasibility of these centres, this study aimed to evaluate the care for victims of sexual violence (SV) in Belgian hospitals anno 2016 as well as to formulate recommendations for the intended model.MethodsBetween April and October 2016, a questionnaire was distributed to 159 key health professionals active in 17 different hospitals attached to an AIDS Referral Centre. The survey covered four parts, i.e. the health professionals’ profile, their knowledge, attitude and practices, an assessment of the hospital’s policy and the caregivers’ opinion on the care for victims of SV and on the intended SACCs. Subsequently, a descriptive analysis using ‘IBM SPSS Statistics 23’ was performed.ResultsA total of 60 key health professionals representing 15 different hospitals completed the questionnaire resulting in a response rate of 38%. The results showed a lack of knowledge and practical experience of caregivers’ regarding the care for SV victims. Approximately 30% of responders face personal or professional difficulties upon provision of care to victims of SV. Participants evaluate the current care as good, despite the limited psychosocial support, follow-up, insight for the needs of vulnerable groups and support for family, relatives and health professionals. Yet, the majority of health professionals appraise the SACCs as the best approach for both victims and caregivers.ConclusionsBy introducing a SACC, the Belgian federal government aims to provide holistic and patient-centred care for victims of SV. Essential in patient-centred health care is an extensive and continuous education, training and supervision of health professionals concerning the care for victims, support for family, relatives and caregivers.At the end and as a result of a participatory process with many professional experts as well as victims, a specific Belgian model, adjusted to the health care system anno 2016 was developed for piloting. The main challenges in establishing SACCs are situated at the institutional and policy level. Collaborating with other institutions and further research are herewith required.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-018-3608-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Medico-legal approach to sexual assault victims: The Belgian situation

Cited by 10 publications

References 3 publications

Medico-legal study of alleged sexual assault cases in Fayoum and Aswan governorates from 2010 -2016: comparative study

Medico-legal study of alleged sexual assault cases in Fayoum and Aswan governorates from 2010 -2016: comparative study

Sexual abuse of children. A comparative study of intra and extra-familial cases

Establishing Sexual Assault Care Centres in Belgium: health professionals’ role in the patient-centred care for victims of sexual violence

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