AbstractBackground: Men’s violence against women touches half the world’s population. Rape is an act of power anger and dominance over another. Sex is a weapon to gain control. The aim of the study was to analyze the type and pattern of genital and extra genital injuries following sexual assault of women in relation to various modifying factors to corroborate the alleged crime. Materials & Method: All the rape victims that came for medical examination to our department formed the cohort of the study. Apart from medical examination, information was obtained by interviewing the victims, accompanying persons and records submitted by the investigating officers. Results: The study revealed general bodily injuries in 11.3% of victims whereas recent genital injuries were present in 13.2% victims. Majority of the victims were of age group 14-15 years and 18-19 years 35.8% each. Most victims were without prior sexual experience (85%). About 13% victims were parous. The incidence occurred mostly indoors 75%. In most cases there were single accused (96%) whereas in 4% cases there were multiple accused. The vaginal smear revealed spermatozoa in 19% of cases. About 30% of the women were examined within 72 hours of the crime.
Keywords: Rape; Injuries; Victims; Accused.