Frequent factors for women and children subjected to sexual assaults presenting at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical center, Karachi

Objectives: to determine the frequent factors in women and children subjected to sexual assaults seeking medical care at jinnah postgraduate medical center, karachi. methods: a cross sectional study was conducted in the medico legal department of jinnah postgraduate medical center, karachi, pakistan. sexual assault victims seeking medical care and medico legal reports from jan 2007-june 2010 were included in the study. the sampling technique was non-probability purposive. all women were informed regarding the confidentiality of their records and written informed consent was taken. in case of female children the consent was taken from both parents / guardians. the data was analyzed on statistical package for social sciences version 15. results: there were 180 women and children examined and interviewed after the sexual assault. the mean age (years) was 19.24±7.33. mostly reported victims were raped and abused both 162 (90%) and only rape was reported in 18 (10%).the physical, local, abdominal and pelvic examination showed fresh act of violence in sexual assault victims in 83 (46.1%) cases. the sexual assault was confirmed in 75 (41.7%) cases. conclusion: the fresh sexual assault acts confirmed in 41 %. the frequent factors in women and children subjected to sexual assaults were adult women (18-40 years), two third victims brought by police after 6-24 hours of rape, 90 % reported both sexual assault and physical violence, in two third cases no weapon used and no external marks of body injuries observed.