Citation

Yesodharan R, Kamath P, Renjith V, Krishnan NM, Senarathne UD, Sasidharan SK, Jose TT, Nayak VC. Forensic Sci. Med. Pathol. 2023; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2023, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s12024-023-00578-6

PMID

36881378

Abstract

Sexual violence can have an overwhelming impact on the victim's physical and mental health; the consequences include unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Therefore, the examiners must assess victims for possible pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections as a part of the sexual assault examination. This article aims to orient the medico-legal examiners towards their role in preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among victims of sexual assault. Prompt detection of pregnancy or STIs is critical, as any delay would adversely affect the successful administration of emergency contraception and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections.

Language: en

Keywords

Pregnancy; Forensic sciences; Contraception; Crime victims; Forensic nursing; Post-exposure prophylaxis; Preventive health service; Sex offences; Sexually transmitted diseases