Medicolegal analysis of sexual assault victims in Benin, Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study, done in a police clinic, was to understand sexual assault (SA) victim characteristics. Subjects and Methods: All SA cases seen at the Police Clinic, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria, were retrospectively reviewed. Results: A total of 146 cases were seen involving 144 females and 2 males. Age group of 11–15 years was mostly affected (37%). The majority of SA victims (72.6%) had no sexual activity before the assault. In 95.9% of cases, no contraceptive was used. The perpetrators were known in 52.7% of cases, and most of them (20.5%) were cotenants. There was penovaginal penetration in 91.8% of situations, with verbal threats been the most common means of subjugation. About 76.9% of SA occurred during the daytime. The hymen in 56.2% of cases showed signs of fresh injury and, in 17.9% of cases, it was intact. Seminal acid phosphatase was seen in 29.6% of cases. Conclusion: SA victims should present very early so that adequate evidence will be collected. Modern diagnostic kits including DNA profiling are needed so that perpetrators can be convicted beyond doubt, while psychological care of victims should be included in medical care.