INTRODUCTION

• Jurisdiction: Australia

Introduction ................................................................................................... [41B.100]

Epidemiology................................................................................................. [41B.120]

Forensic medical examiners ......................................................................... [41B.140]

Normal anatomy............................................................................................ [41B.160]

[41B.100] Introduction

Sexual assault is an act of violence against the person in which the assailant performs sexual acts without that person's consent. Victims of adult sexual assault require a specialised medical service that encompasses the forensic, medical and psychosocial aspects of holistic patient care. The role of the doctor¹ who provides the forensic medical service is to care for a patient²while considering the fundamentals of forensic medicine, including specimen collection, injury interpretation and the formation of opinions to be used by the justice system. Throughout the forensic medical examination of a sexual assault patient, the concerns of the patient should be addressed and maintained as a priority over the rest of the examination. In particular, life-threatening injuries and illnesses must be excluded prior to commencing the forensic medical examination. The patient must be treated with dignity and respect and given back some of the control taken from her or him during the assault.

This chapter...