Characteristics of victims and assaults of sexual violence – Improving inquiries and prevention

Ingemann-Hansen, Ole; Sabroe, Svend; Brink, Ole; Knudsen, Maiken; Charles, Annie Vesterbye

doi:10.1016/j.jflm.2008.07.004

« Previous Next »Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine
Volume 16, Issue 4 , Pages 182-188, May 2009

Characteristics of victims and assaults of sexual violence – Improving inquiries and prevention

Ole Ingemann-Hansen, MD (Specialty Registrar)
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Section of Clinical Forensic Medicine, University of Aarhus, Brendstrupgaardsvej 100, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- The Western Danish Sexual Assault Center, Aarhus University Hospital, Norrebrogade 44, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
- Corresponding author. Address: Institute of Forensic Medicine, Section of Clinical Forensic Medicine, University of Aarhus, Brendstrupgaardsvej 100, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark. Tel.: +45 42 98 00; fax: +45 86 12 59 95.
Svend Sabroe, MD (Professor)
- Institute of Public Health, University of Aarhus, Vennelyst Boulevard 6, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
Ole Brink, MD PhD (Associate Professor)
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Section of Clinical Forensic Medicine, University of Aarhus, Brendstrupgaardsvej 100, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark
- The Western Danish Sexual Assault Center, Aarhus University Hospital, Norrebrogade 44, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
Maiken Knudsen, Mpsych (Psychologist)
- The Western Danish Sexual Assault Center, Aarhus University Hospital, Norrebrogade 44, 8000 Aarhus C, Denmark
Annie Vesterbye Charles, MD DMSc (Professor)
- Institute of Forensic Medicine, Section of Clinical Forensic Medicine, University of Aarhus, Brendstrupgaardsvej 100, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark

Received 5 December 2007; received in revised form 6 June 2008; accepted 8 July 2008.

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to provide descriptive data on victim and assault characteristics in sexual violence and to ascertain risk factors in the sequence of the assault events. Retrospective data were collected on all sexual assault victims presented to the sexual referral centre, the police and the Institute of Forensic Medicine in Aarhus, Denmark, during a five-year period. Four hundred and twenty-three victims were included. The annual incidence rate was 14.5 per 100,000 inhabitants aged 12–87 years and the “dark figure” was estimated to be 1.34. Median age was 21 years; 69% of the victims knew the assailant, and penile intercourse was reported in 59% of the cases. Young age and drinking alcohol were risk factors for the assault to take place in a public place. Information to high-risk groups identified by this study should be integrated in approaches of modifying sexual behaviour. Furthermore, the results from this study are useful in supporting staff and police investigators in the guidance of their efforts regarding treatment and inquiries.

Keywords: Sexual assault, Epidemiology, Prevention, Multidisciplinary public centre