Forensic medical examination after conflict-related sexual violence
Citation: Rubini E, Valente M, Sguazzi G, et al. Forensic medical examination after conflict-related sexual violence: A scoping review of the literature. Journal of Forensic and Legal Medicine. 2024; 106:102736.
Language: Abstract and full text available in EN.
Free to view: Yes.
Funding sources: No external funding.
What is this? In this systematic review, the authors searched for peer-reviewed studies of forensic medical examination among survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. They excluded articles about minors, intimate partner violence, harmful practices (eg female genital mutilation), sexual violence in the military, and those that did not record the health of survivors. The authors searched in April 2023 for publications since 2013. They found 17 articles.
What was found: Most studies described physical and psychological outcomes after conflict-related sexual violence, rather than specific lesions. Documentation of outcomes was related to the level of training and expertise of the health staff who conducted the examination. Evaluation by physicians on the consistency of findings was reported in only two studies.
Implications: The authors of the review stated that their findings showed the scarcity of research on forensic medical examination among victims of conflict-related sexual violence. They suggested that there was a need for education and training for professionals who document these human rights violations.
Other considerations: The authors of the review discussed their findings in the context of place of residence, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation.
This summary was prepared by Elena Rubini, checked by Jawaria Karim, and finalized by William Summerskill.