Medical Examination of Sexual Violence Victims

Questions and Answers

What is the requirement for a medical examination of a survivor/victim of sexual violence in hospitals?

Medical examination can be conducted without a court order. (correct)

Hospitals have the discretion to refuse treatment.

Only public hospitals are required to conduct examinations.

A police requisition is mandatory.

In which circumstance is it necessary for a female medical officer to conduct an examination of a girl child?

When the child is accompanied by a parent.

When the girl's age is uncertain.

When no male doctors are available.

It is mandatory in all circumstances. (correct)

What should be done if a survivor reports within 72 hours of assault regarding HIV risk?

No action is needed as it's beyond the time frame.

The survivor should be referred to a specialist.

Only counseling should be provided.

HIV prophylaxis should be administered. (correct)

What is the protocol when a child requires immediate care and their parents are acting against the child's best interests?

The Child Welfare Committee must be contacted. Signup and view all the answers

Under what condition should medical age estimation be performed for a survivor?

Only when there is doubt about the survivor's age. Signup and view all the answers

What should be documented if a survivor refuses consent for a medico-legal examination?

Informed refusal Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of guardians in the consent process for a child undergoing a medico-legal examination?

Informed consent can be obtained from a panel of senior doctors if guardians are unavailable. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a responsibility of the doctor during a medico-legal examination of a sexual violence survivor?

Conduct the examination regardless of consent Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of cases of forced sexual intercourse show the presence of injuries?

One-third Signup and view all the answers

What type of evidence should be recorded during a medico-legal examination?

Evidence based on history of the assault and post-assault activities Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Medical Examination Protocol for Survivors of Sexual Violence

Medical examinations for survivors/victims of sexual violence do not require police requisition or court order.
All hospitals, both public and private, are obligated to conduct these medical examinations.
Immediate first aid and treatment for injuries, STIs (including HIV), and psychological counseling is essential.
HIV prophylaxis is indicated if the survivor reports within 72 hours of the assault, after evaluating HIV risk.

Examination Guidelines

Preference should be given to having a female medical officer for examinations of female survivors.
If no female officer is available, a male doctor may conduct the examination in the presence of a female attendant.
For child victims, examinations must be performed by a female medical officer, and a trusted adult should be present.

Age Estimation and Child Protection

Medical age estimation should only be conducted when there is uncertainty and no reliable proof of age is available.
In cases requiring immediate care for a sexually assaulted child, local police and the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) should be notified.
CWC involvement is mandatory if parents/guardians act against the child's best interests, especially in incest cases.

Consent for medical examinations is pivotal; survivors cannot be forced into an examination against their will.
In the absence of a guardian for minors, consent may be taken from a panel of senior doctors.
Survivors or guardians have the right to refuse all or part of the examination; this refusal must be documented clearly.
The consent form should be signed by the survivor, a witness, and the examining doctor.

Examination for Injuries

Injuries are present in only about one-third of forced sexual intercourse cases; absence of injuries does not imply consent.
Body inspection should be thorough, documenting bruises, cuts, bite marks, and other injuries.
All findings must be meticulously documented, including weapons used and stains found on the body.

Evidence Collection

Medical evidence should focus on providing treatment while documenting the circumstances of the assault (e.g., nature and site of penetration).
Evidence collection is not warranted if the survivor presents more than 96 hours post-assault.
Even if menstruating, evidence may still be collected to prevent loss of trace evidence due to heavy flow during the examination.

Description

This quiz covers the medico-legal aspects of examining survivors or victims of sexual violence. It addresses the requirements for medical examinations and the responsibilities of healthcare providers in these cases. Participants will gain insights into the protocols and ethical considerations involved in providing care to survivors.