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Rape Exam: Beyond the Hospital Emergency Room

NCJ Number
116067
Journal
Women and Health Volume: 12 Issue: 2 Dated: (1987) Pages: 5-28
Author(s)
P Y Martin; D M DiNitto
Date Published
1987
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This study examines data from interviews with responsible personnel at 31 post-rape examination sites in Florida, finding that physicians and hospitals dislike carrying out the exam because they fear legal and court entanglements.
Abstract
Of the 31 post-rape examination sites studied, there were 25 regular hospital emergency rooms, two specialized hospital based sexual assault treatment centers, and one each of the following: a nonhospital-based sexual assault treatment center, a proprietary obstetrical-gynecological clinic, a medical examiner's office, and a law enforcement crime lab. The study assesses the utility of each type of site for post-rape examinations. Many hospital emergency room physicians consider the evidence gathering aspect of the post-rape examination to be burdensome and an inappropriate use of medical expertise. However, judges and prosecutors prefer that post rape examinations be done by physicians. The study concludes that in the future post-rape examinations will probably be carried out in nonhospital sites by female nurses. 35 references. (Author abstract modified)