NATURAL SEXUAL OFFENCES;

MEDICOLEGAL ASSESSMENT IN PUNJAB

Abstract

Introduction: Globally, rape of women is a serious health, social and religious
concern and is considered as a violation of women basic human right. Objective: The aim was
to ascertain incidence of natural sexual offence (rape) in Punjab and to analyze the data with
respect to sociodemographic characteristics, findings of medicolegal examination and results
of evidence collected from victims of sexual assault. Material and Method: This retrospective
study was conducted on 148 female victims of rape brought to Forensic Medicine Department
of King Edward Medical University Lahore, Fatima Jinnah Medical College Lahore and Nishtar
Medical College, Multan from January 2012 to December 2013 for medicolegal examination.
Details pertaining to socio-demographic profile of the victim, incident, findings of medical
examination and results of evidence collected were noted. Data was analyzed using SPSS
version 20. Result: The most affected age group was 11-20 years (60.8 %). Majority of victims
were unmarried (70.9%), non- working (79.72%) and of lower socioeconomic class (71.6%) All
were Muslims (100%). The highest number of victims was examined on the second day (24.3%).
31% cases were of gang rape. Majority knew the assailant (45.9%). The commonest place of
offence was an isolated place (66.2%) Extragenital injuries were seen in 10.8% cases. Hymen
was intact in 3.3% victims. The tears of hymen were old in 77.6% and fresh in 22.3% cases.
Semen was detected in 18.2% cases. 1.3% victims were pregnant and 4% were intoxicated.
Conclusions: The study highlights the importance of addressing rape as an important health
issue.