Pathophysiology

Consequences of rape and sexual assault are far-reaching. They include, but are not limited to:

• Psychological harm
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Self-harm or suicide ideation, plan or acts
  • Sleeping difficulties
• Physical harm
  • Exposure to blood-borne viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis B
  • Exposure to sexually transmitted infections
  • Pregnancy
• Social harms
  • Relationship and sexual difficulties
  • Time off work or education
  • Destruction of sense of community and safety

Learning bite

Physical trauma is often associated with sexual assault⁶. When risk-stratifying each patient, remember to assess for non-urogenital trauma.