Availability of services for subjects of sexual assault in genitourinary medicine clinics

The aim of this study is to gain an understanding of the services available to subjects of sexual assault at genitourinary medicine (GU medicine) clinics throughout the United Kingdom, and to determine whether these services are adequate. By means of a questionnaire, consultants in 106 clinics provided information on the number of patients who reported sexual assault and the services available to them. The study found a marked regional variation in attendances by subjects of sexual assault. However, only a minority of clinics kept accurate data (36.7% regarding female victims and 37.75% regarding male victims). The number of subjects who were aged under 16 years was disproportionately high (under 16s: 6.9% of female victims and 1.2% male victims; 16 and over: 1.3% of female victims and 0.14% of male victims). This survey highlights deficiencies in services that need to be addressed by clinics, management and the speciality.