Pattern of Sexual Assault Documentation in a Referral Center in Northwest Nigeria
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30442/ahr.1101-06-270Keywords:
Anal penetration, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Vaginal penetration, Sexual Assault CentreAbstract
Background: Sexual assault is a crime that is characteristically under-reported, more especially in low-income countries. However, with increased awareness and the establishment of some Sexual Assault Centres, the rate of reporting has risen.
Objective: To determine the pattern of sexual assault documentation at the Sexual Assault Referral Center (SARC) of General Hospital, Dutse, North-West Nigeria.
Methods: The study was a retrospective analysis of 283 hospital records of reported assaults from January to December 2022 at the SARC General Hospital Dutse, Nigeria.
Results: Out of the 283 reported cases, 250 (88.3%) were confirmed cases of sexual assault. Most of the victims (100; 40%) were within the age range of 6-12 years. A higher proportion of the victims, (193; 77.2%), were females, and 100 (40%) were in secondary school. Vaginal penetration was the commonest (178; 71.2 %) among the victims. Most of the perpetrators (186; 74%) were friends/associates of the victim's family. Absent/opened hymen and other perineal findings (perineal bruises, vaginal tear, inflamed perineum, white offensive vaginal discharge, vaginal bleeding, and vulval oedema) were observed in many of the victims (80; 32%). The locations of the incidents were mostly in the homes/rooms of the perpetrators (34.4%).
Conclusion: This study has documented a high prevalence of sexual assault among children and adolescents at the SARC, and vaginal penetration was the most common sexual assault. There should be increased awareness of the problem, and the government should prosecute the alleged perpetrators.
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