Sexual assault and Rape

Question 1

Sexual Assault includes

Answer 1

Rape
Assault by penetration
Sexual assault by sexual touching etc

Question 2

Definition of Rape

Answer 2

From the Sexual offences act 2003:’Person A commits an offence if he intentionally penetrates the vagina, mouth or anus of another person when they do not consent to the penetration, and person A does not reasonably believe that B consents’

Question 3

Definition of Assault by penetration

Answer 3

Non-consensual, intentional insertion of an object (other than a penis) into the vagina or anus

Question 4

Definition of sexual touching/assault

Answer 4

Deliberate, non-consensual and sexual touching of another person

Question 5

Sexual Violence worldwide

Answer 5

A major public health issue:Affects all societies, all ages, genders and all socioeconomic groups. Overlaps with other forms of abuse and is frequently used as a weapon of war

Question 6

Sexual Violence in the UK

Answer 6

On average every year 404,000 women and 72,000 men reported being victims of sexual offences

• ->90% of victims of serious sexual crimes knew their perpetrator, less for less serious sexual offences
• ->16,000 rapes in 2011-12

Question 7

Depressing Fact 1 - what percentage of people who are sexually assaulted have it happen in familiar surroundings by someone they know?

Answer 7

47%

Question 8

Depressing Fact 2 - what percentage of men reported expecting that kissing leads to sex?

Answer 8

20%

Question 9

Depressing Fact 3 - what percentage of men 18-25 considered it rape if a women said no to sex but the man went ahead?

Answer 9

77% (23% did not)

Question 10

Depressing Fact 4 - what proportion of women over the age of 16 in england has been raped?

Answer 10

1 in 20

Question 11

Depressing Fact 5 - what percentage of children consider themselves to have been sexually abused?

Answer 11

11%

Question 12

Depressing Fact 6 - what percentage of those who have been sexually assaulted have reported it to the police?

Answer 12

11%

Question 13

Reasons motivating people to report

Answer 13

To protect others, and to ensure it doesn’t happen again
A desire for closure
Fear of the perpetrator
The influence of professionals

Question 14

Reasons people do not report to the police

Answer 14

Stigma - Fear of not being believed - Feelings of blame
‘Process issues’
Mistrust of the police - Not wanting to go to court

Question 15

Where do people report

Answer 15

No where
Police
AnE - sexual health clinics - GP - ANC - TOP service
Counselling - Telephone helplines

Question 16

Care after a sexual offence

Answer 16

Medical care always takes precedence but always be aware of the forensics. Initial–> Full Hx, record injuries (including TT)
–>EC, STI check and HIV/Hep C test, –> psychosocial assessment/support, –>Confidentially and choices, safety, evidence

Question 17

Relevant evidence after a sexual offence

Answer 17

Full Hx/report –> full disclosure. Full examination for injuries and lack of injuries. Samples–> hair, blood, urine, semen, swabs, clothes/sheets etc. Look for DNA traces, fingerprints, drugs. Depends on what happened, where, and how long ago–> consider using early evidence kits

Question 18

Locard’s principle

Answer 18

‘wherever he steps, whatever he touches, whatever he leaves, even unconsciously, will serve as a silent witness against him’