Sexual violence and the obstetrician/gynecologist

Sexual violence is a pathological entity that requires urgent attention. The gynecologist/obstetrician (G/O), as a medical professional in charge of women's health, especially as it pertains to women's reproductive organs, should become an active agent in the management of the sociomedical processes that constitute sexual violence. The results of a survey conducted in Mexico on the opinions and practices of G/Os regarding violence against women-especially sexual violence-are reported. It is necessary to sensitize and train G/Os and other physicians in bioethics. and to look for formal support of such activities in the legislative branch of government. (C) 2003 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.