Management of Sexual Assault:

A teaching module for Medical Students

Prepared by

Dr. Rhonda L. Hutson

Bsc., MBBS, MSc., DM (Emer. Med)
Consultant Emergency Physician
Sports Medicine Physician
Associate Lecturer
Sexual Assault Examiner
Emergency Medicine Division
University of the West Indies
 Management of Sexual Assault:
A teaching module for Medical Students

INTRODUCTION

Sexual assault cases are increasing in Jamaica, demanding not only an increased
attention to prevention but also improved and efficient management of these cases.
Proper evidence collection and careful documentation can be helpful to the prosecutor
of sexual assault crimes, in convicting a rapist. In Jamaica, it is a member of the
medical doctor who is entrusted with the forensic evaluation and medical care of the
survivor of sexual assault.

Oftentimes, the young doctor’s first case is the only time he or she is introduced to
the concept of sexual assault as a medical entity. This has lent itself to inconsistent
and improper evaluation and documentation.

Responding to the call for proper training of doctors, this teaching module was
developed to introduce the medical student to the forensic and medical issues relating
to the management of survivors of sexual assault. It is intended to be a precursor to
the actual management of such cases, in much the same way that they are taught to
manage, for example, asthma and myocardial infarction. Like the TEAM approach, it
is not intended to replace formal training, but rather to introduce concepts, develop
skills and guide proper management of sexual assault cases.

The training module will be presented in the form of didactic lectures/workshop, and
assignments. As much as possible, this will be incorporated with hands on training
with real cases. In addition, students will be given a written manual for ongoing
referral.

It is envisioned that this training will significantly improve the forensic evaluation of
sexual assault cases.
 Management of Sexual Assault:
A teaching module for Medical Students

TEACHING SCHEDULE

TIME TOPIC
8:00am-8:30am Exercise I: Discussion of assignment
8:30am –9:00am Lecture I: Injuries associated with sexual assault
9:00am-9:10am Q&A
9:10am-9:15am BREAK
9:15am-10:30am Lecture II: Management of sexual assault: adult/child
History taking, forensic examination,
evidence collection
10:30am-11:15am Exercise II: Case presentation/medical certificate writing
11:15am-11:45am Lecture III: Documentation in sexual assault
11:45am-12:05pm TEST: combination of MCQs and short
answer type questions
12:05pm-12:25pm DVD: the forensic examination
12:25pm-1pm Testifying in court:

ASSIGNMENTS
 Management of Sexual Assault:
A teaching module for Medical Students

These are to be prepared by the students for submission/discussion on the day of

training.

Assignment 1
Students may work in groups.
1.1 Sexual assault is an umbrella term that includes several types of criminal
behaviour. Define the following as used under the law: [NB: students must present
the laws of their respective territories/countries]
(a) Rape, attempted rape
(b) Incest
(c) Buggery
(d) Carnal abuse
(e) Indecent assault

1.2 Briefly outline the steps and agencies involved in the processing of a case of
sexual assault from the moment of reporting to trial.

1.3 List 5 reasons that may render DNA evidence inadmissible in court.

Assignment 2

This is a graded exercise and must be handed in on the day of the workshop

see below

Assignment 2
 Management of Sexual Assault:
A teaching module for Medical Students

Describe and name the injury/pathology shown in the following photographs.

(1) (2)

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(3) (4)

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(5) (6)
 Management of Sexual Assault:
A teaching module for Medical Students

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