Sexual Assault

Educational Tools/Resources

• Sexual Assault | ACOG. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists published a Committee Opinion on Sexual Assault in April 2019. This includes definitions of what sexual assault is and the pervasiveness of the problem with an estimated 1.47 million rape-related physical assaults against women annually.  It is estimated that one in five women are victims of a completed or attempted rape during their lifetime with short and long term physical and emotional consequences.  Patients should be assessed for sexual assault via screening questions during clinic visits with subsequent appropriate evaluation and management of sexual assault survivors. This includes utilizing sexual assault evidence collection kits in circumstances of attempted or completed rape. 

Sample Sexual Assault Screening Questions Box 2:

• Has anyone ever touched you against your will or without your consent?
• Have you ever been forced or pressured to engage in sexual activities when you did not want to?
• Have you ever had unwanted sex while under the influence of alcohol or drugs?
• Do you feel that you have control over your sexual relationships and will be listened to if you say “no” to sexual activities?
• Is your visit today because of a sexual experience you did not want to happen?

Reports/Publications

• Hu YY, Ellis RJ, Hewitt DB, Yang AD, Cheung EO, Moskowitz JT, Potts JR 3rd, Buyske J, Hoyt DB, Nasca TJ, Bilimoria KY. Discrimination, Abuse, Harassment, and Burnout in Surgical Residency Training. N Engl J Med. 2019 Oct 31;381(18):1741-1752. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMsa1903759. Epub 2019 Oct 28. PMID: 31657887; PMCID: PMC6907686.
  • Physicians, including trainees, are at risk for mistreatment and 65.1% of female surgical residents report gender discrimination and 19.9% report sexual harassment. This may come from patients and colleagues. 
• National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) 
  • The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) provides information and educational tools to providers and survivors of sexual harassment, assault, and abuse.
• Assessing Patients for Sexual Violence: A guide for health care providers | National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
  • This includes guidance to healthcare providers for assessing patients for sexual violence.
•  Sexual Assault Response Teams | National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) 
  • The National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) provides education on the Sexual Assault Response Teams (SART) that help survivors identify and obtain the community services available to them. This includes the 2018 SART Toolkit
  • A directory of organizations that lists state and territory sexual assault coalitions and additional help can be found at: | National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
• National Institute of Justice. National Best Practices for Sexual Assault Kits: A Multidisciplinary Approach
  • The Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Reporting (SAFER) Act was passed in 2013 to develop practices “appropriate for the accurate, timely, and effective collection and processing of DNA evidence, including protocols and practices specific to sexual assault cases, which shall address appropriate steps in the investigation of cases that might involve DNA evidence”.  The U.S. Department of Justice and the SAFER Working Group developed guidance for Sexual Assault kits with 35 recommendations that are intended to positively impact sexual assault responses and provide victim support.
• Intimate Partner Violence | ACS (facs.org)
  • ​​​​​​​The American College of Surgeons (ACS) recognizes intimate partner violence as a significant public health problem requiring additional education for the community and providers alike. In addition, there is an updated Committee on Trauma 2000 Statement on Domestic Violence and an ACS Intimate Partner Violence Toolkit available.
•  About the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline | RAINN 
  • The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), organizes the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline. 1-800-656-4673. Online chat service is also available Get Help | RAINN
• Male Sexual Assault & Abuse Support for Men | MaleSurvivor 
  • There are thousands of sexually assaulted or sexually abused men who require justice and support. MaleSurvivor provides educational resources, treatment, and support for men in over 200 countries.
• About the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline | RAINN
  • The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), organizes the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline. at 1-800-656-4673. Online chat service is also available Get Help | RAINN
• Male Sexual Assault & Abuse Support for Men | MaleSurvivor
  • There are thousands of sexually assaulted or sexually abused men who require justice and support. MaleSurvivor provides educational resources, treatment, and support for men in over 200 countries. 

Other Resources

•  A National Protocol for Sexual Abuse Medical Forensic Examinations Pediatric (2016). Pediatric medical forensic examination for sexually abused. 

• Responding to children and adolescents who have been sexually abused: WHO clinical guidelines. (2017). WHO clinical guidelines for sexually abused children and adolescents.   

• Child Sex Trafficking and Commercial Sexual Exploitation: Health Care Needs of Victims. Committee on Child Abuse and Neglect. Pediatrics (2015) 135 (3): 566–574. Health care needs of child abuse and neglect victims.