Sexual assault

According to recent national studies, one in six women and one in 33 men will experience an attempted or completed rape during their lifetime. Although most rapes are never reported, victims that do report them often present to the emergency department for intervention. The emergency physician must be able to treat acute injuries, accurately collect and record evidence, offer STD and pregnancy prophylaxis, offer emotional support (with the social worker and rape crisis advocate), and provide appropriate referrals for follow-up care. The emergency physician can play a crucial role in easing the transition from victim to survivor with initial treatment. This article summarizes current recommendations for evaluation and treatment of sexual assault victims.