The role of legal medicine professionals in preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among female victims of sexual assault

Abstract

Sexual violence can have an overwhelming impact on the victim's physical and mental health; the consequences include unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Therefore, the examiners must assess victims for possible pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections as a part of the sexual assault examination. This article aims to orient the medico-legal examiners towards their role in preventing unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections among victims of sexual assault. Prompt detection of pregnancy or STIs is critical, as any delay would adversely affect the successful administration of emergency contraception and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections.

Keywords: Contraception; Crime victims; Forensic nursing; Forensic sciences; Post-exposure prophylaxis; Pregnancy; Preventive health service; Sex offences; Sexually transmitted diseases.