Relationship of genital injuries and age in adolescent and young adult rape survivors

Objective : To examine the associations between age and genital injuries in adolescent and young adult women examined following rape. Design & Setting : A retrospective review of 234 medical records from an emergency department sexual assault program. Sample : Women aged 14 to 29 years. Fifty percent of the sample was African American, 48% was White, and 2% was either Asian or an "other" race. Main Outcome Measures : Genital injury was described by injury prevalence, frequency, and anatomical locations of injuries. Results : Overall genital injury prevalence was 62.8%. Younger age was not significantly associated with the presence or absence of genital injury. However, younger age was significantly associated with an increased number of genital injuries overall and to the thighs, labia minora, periurethral area, fossa navicularis, and vagina. Conclusion : These findings support the need for further research to determine if the current care provided to rape survivors is age appropriate.