A retrospective study of 221 underage women referred for suspected sexual abuse between 2020-2023 in county legal medicine service of Brasov, Romania

Abstract

Introduction: Victims of sexual abuse require not only medical care but also injury documentation and collection of forensic evidence for legal purposes. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of sexual abuse in minor females and the pattern of anogenital injuries in these victims, referred for suspected sexual abuse between 2020-2023 to the County Legal Medicine Service of Brasov, Romania. Material and methods: A total of 221 cases were included, who presented a history of sexual assault to the police (n=131 cases) or who came directly to our center to evaluate evidence of sexual intercourse (n=90 cases). Results: Genital injuries were present in 12,66% of cases, indicating penile-vaginal penetration, fingering of genitals, object penetration, or other types of sexual aggression. Anal injuries were found in 6,33% of cases, of which 14,28% presented evidence of chronic anal sexual abuse. Spermatozoa were detected in swabs from 25% of victims in whom this examination was performed (23,52% of total cases). Extragenital injuries were described in 14,02% of cases. Anamnestic data about perpetrators revealed that 23,07% of cases were domestic violence (the perpetrator being a relative), while 70,37% of perpetrators were adults. Conclusions: This study assessed the pattern of anogenital injuries and factors associated with cases of sexual abuse. However, it is important to note that some of those exposed to sexual assault do not have visible anogenital injuries, and the absence of injuries does not disapprove the act.