Adolescent complainants of sexual assault; injury patterns in virgin and non virgin groups. Catherine White, Iain McLean. Journal of clinical forensic medicine. 2006. This article seeks to document the injuries sustained by women aged 12-17 after sexual assault in victims that had had previous sexual intercourse and those that had not. The authors conclude that injuries are not routinely found in either group of adolescents after sexual assault and therefore the absence of injury should not be taken as evidence of lack of intercourse.
Adolescent complainants of sexual assault; injury patterns in virgin and non virgin groups. Catherine White, Iain McLean. Journal of clinical forensic medicine. 2006. This article seeks to document the injuries sustained by women aged 12-17 after sexual assault in victims that had had previous sexual intercourse and those that had not. The authors conclude that injuries are not routinely found in either group of adolescents after sexual assault and therefore the absence of injury should not be taken as evidence of lack of intercourse.
Genital Findings of Women After Consensual and Nonconsensual Intercourse. Anderson, McClain, Riviello. Journal of Forensic Nursing. 2006.
This article sheds light on the genital findings of women after consensual and non-consensual intercourse and finds no significant difference in the presence of injury between the two groups.
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Genital Trauma Associated with Forced Digital Penetration. Rossman, Jones, Dunnuck, Wynne, Bermingham. American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2004.
This study assesses the level and frequency of digital -genital injuries reported by sexual assault victims to an urban clinic. Results indicated a high level of injury sustained by victims of forced digital penetration.
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Genitoanal injury in adult female victims of sexual assault. Hilden, Schei, Sidenius. Forensic Science International. 2005.
This study investigates the existence and extent of genitoanal injury in sexually assaulted women. They study concludes that most women do not have visible genitoanal injuries after sexual assault.
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Patterns of genital injury in female sexual assault victims. Slaughter, Brown, Crowley, Peck. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 1997.
This study investigates injuries sustained by sexual assault survivors. I finds that many sexually assaulted women have similar patterns of genital injuries that differ from consenting women.
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Visual assessment of the timing of bruising by forensic experts. Pilling, Vanezis, Perrett, Johnston. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine. 2010.
This study examines the efficacy with which forensic experts can determine the age of injuries. Forensic experts are often asked to comment on injuries for legal purposes. The authors conclude that such interpretations are unreliable.
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Intentional Injuries among children and adolescents in Massachusetts. Guyer, Lescohier, Gallagher, Hausman, Azzara. The New England Journal of Medicine.
The authors of this article examine the extent of intentional injuries in a population of Massachusetts’ children and adolescents. Most intentional injuries were caused by assaults, including rape and fights.
Adolescent Sexual Assault: Documentation of Acute Injuries Using Photo-colposcopy. dams, Girardin, Faugno. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. 2001.
The authors of this study examine the effectiveness of using photo-colposcopy to examine ano-genital injuries in adolescent survivors of sexual assault. They find that while photo-colposcopy is useful in documenting normal tissue and fresh abrasions and injuries, it is ineffective in documenting more subtle injuries found by a sexual assault nurse examiner.
The use of an alternative light source to detect semen in clinical forensic medical practice. Lincoln, McBride, Turbett, Garbin, MacDonald.
This article assesses the use of an alternative light source (ALS) to detect semen on inanimate surfaces and the body. The light source is increasingly useful the closer it is to the surface and the higher the concentration of semen on the surface.
Adolescent Sexual Assault: Documentation of Acute Injuries Using Photo-colposcopy. dams, Girardin, Faugno. Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. 2001.
The authors of this study examine the effectiveness of using photo-colposcopy to examine ano-genital injuries in adolescent survivors of sexual assault. They find that while photo-colposcopy is useful in documenting normal tissue and fresh abrasions and injuries, it is ineffective in documenting more subtle injuries found by a sexual assault nurse examiner.
The use of an alternative light source to detect semen in clinical forensic medical practice. Lincoln, McBride, Turbett, Garbin, MacDonald.
This article assesses the use of an alternative light source (ALS) to detect semen on inanimate surfaces and the body. The light source is increasingly useful the closer it is to the surface and the higher the concentration of semen on the surface.
The use of an alternative light source to detect semen in clinical forensic medical practice. Lincoln, McBride, Turbett, Garbin, MacDonald.
This article assesses the use of an alternative light source (ALS) to detect semen on inanimate surfaces and the body. The light source is increasingly useful the closer it is to the surface and the higher the concentration of semen on the surface.
"Investigating the medical forensic examination from the perspectives of sexually assaulted women.", Du Mont, J, White D, and McGregor MJ. Social Science and Medicine 68.4 Feb. 2009: 80-774.
In this article, the authors illuminate the findings of a survey of sexual assault survivors and their experiences with medical forensic examinations. The survey is broadly divided into the categories of Experiences and Expectations.
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Sexual Assault and Multiple Trauma: A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) challenge. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 1995.
This article examines the challenge of collecting forensic evidence on sexual assault victims who have experienced multiple traumas. It uses a case study of a sexual assault and stabbing to illustrate the importance of trained professionals in the treatment of sexual assault victims.
"Investigating the medical forensic examination from the perspectives of sexually assaulted women.", Du Mont, J, White D, and McGregor MJ. Social Science and Medicine 68.4 Feb. 2009: 80-774.
In this article, the authors illuminate the findings of a survey of sexual assault survivors and their experiences with medical forensic examinations. The survey is broadly divided into the categories of Experiences and Expectations.
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Sexual Assault and Multiple Trauma: A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) challenge. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 1995.
This article examines the challenge of collecting forensic evidence on sexual assault victims who have experienced multiple traumas. It uses a case study of a sexual assault and stabbing to illustrate the importance of trained professionals in the treatment of sexual assault victims.
Physical and Psychological Effects of Sexual Assault
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Sexual Assault Trauma during the acute phase: an exploratory model and multivariate analysis. Ruch, Meyers Chandler. Journal of Health and Social Behaviour. 1983.
This study seeks to analyze the immediate effects of sexual assault. They find that victims who were injured physically were also more emotionally traumatized, but most other variables are not correlated to levels of emotional trauma.
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Sexual Assault in Pregnancy. Satin, Hemsell, Stone, Theriot, Wendel Obstetrics and Gynecology. 1991.
This study seeks to examine the different physical outcomes of pregnant vs non-pregnant sexual assault survivors. The authors find that while there is little physical difference in injuries, sexual assault during pregnancy may be associated with low birth weight and pre-term delivery.
Sexual Assault Services Delivered by SANEs. Stermac, Dunlap, Bainbridge. Journal of Forensic Nursing. 2005.
This article analyzes the level and quality of services produced by SANEs. They find that kits collected by such professional contain no critical errors and are better documented than those collected by non-SANE staff. SANEs are also better equipped to provide compassionate and prompt care to victims.
► Bold Initiative Challenges Attitudes Around Drinking and Sexual Assault
After alarming statistics revealed that 70% to 90% of sexual assaults involved alcohol, a diverse group of community organizations joined forces with the Edmonton Police to form a coalition called Sexual Assault Voices of Edmonton (save). When results of a UK study...
►"Don’t be that guy" Campaign Receives National Attention.
June 23&24, 2011: The Edmonton team’s Don’t be that Guy campaign shared centre stage with other North American social marketing campaigns at the Addressing Sexual Violence – Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives conference in Toronto, Ontario...
►June 2011 Making a Difference Canada Webinar Presentation now Available.
Drug Facilitated Sexual Assault: what every service provider needs to know. This session, led by a recognized Canadian drug expert, was offered to augment understanding and assist service providers to respond more effectively to drug facilitated sexual assaults...
►Supreme Court rules against the idea of "advance consent" to sexual assault.
May 27, 2011: The Supreme Court of Canada issued a decision that ruled
against the idea of "advance consent" to sexual assault. They concluded that there can be no consent in law when a woman is unconscious....
► Canadians Participate in 2011 EVAW International Conference
The 2011 EVAW International Conference on Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Stalking was held April 11-13, 2011. Over 800 delegates from 50 U.S. states, several U.S. territories, protectorates, and a number of other countries participated...
► Making a Difference Canada Webinar Held on April 18.
For those who missed it, you can now download the presentation.
MYTH 1: Most rapes are committed by strangers.
FACT: More often than not, sexual assault is perpetrated by a family member, relative, friend or acquaintance. In fact, in 64% of reported cases the victim knew the accused.
MYTH 2: People sometimes say "no", whey they really mean "yes".
FACT: No means NO, regardless of the circumstance. Also, if someone says "yes" under duress it is not consent—consent must be given voluntarily.
MYTH 3: Men can't be raped.
FACT: Many men don't report their sexual assault, so statistics are limited. However, of the assaults that are reported, approximately 15.7% of them involve male victims.
MYTH 4: She must have somehow "asked for it."
FACT: This is often how the attacker justifies his behavior. What ‘type of woman' she is, what her occupation is, or how a woman dresses or acts, are irrelevant. No one asks to be raped.
MYTH 5: Women who feel guilty or vindictive often lie about being raped.
FACT: Rarely are false reports of sexual assault made. The truth is, sexual assault is a greatly under-reported crime, especially if the survivor knows her (or his) attacker.
MYTH 6: Certain types of women are "unrapeable."
FACT: Regardless of a woman's profession or sexual practices, she can still be sexually assaulted. If consent isn't given willingly it is rape. Rape is not about the sex, it is an act of dominance and control.
MYTH 7: Women can't be assaulted by husbands or boyfriends.
FACT: According to the law, a woman has the right to say no to her significant other. Again, it's about willing consent. If it's not given, it's sexual assault.
MYTH 8: Carrying some form of protection can prevent sexual assault.
FACT: Maybe. Maybe not. But telling someone that carrying mace or keys between their fingers, etc could prevent an attack only adds to a survivor's sense of guilt and self-blame.
MYTH 9: Rape is a crime of passion.
FACT: In over 70% of the cases, rape is a premeditated act of VIOLENCE, and has nothing to do with passion. The vast majority of rapists are motivated by power, anger, and control, not sexual gratification.
MYTH 10: People who are intoxicated or on drugs are willing to participate in any kind of sexual activity.
FACT: Drinking or taking drugs does not imply consent. In fact, alcohol and drugs can render a person incapable of consent—and no consent equals assault.
