Vulnerability factors for trauma injuries in female sexual assault patients in a diverse urban city population.

BACKGROUND

Sexual violence presents a major public health concern in the United States with an increase in both incidence and reporting, especially in large metropolitan areas such as New York City. Factors such as age, race, gender, LGBTQIA+ status, mental health conditions, disability, and substance abuse have been identified in current literature as potential vulnerabilities or risk factors in sexual assault patients.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate demographic and vulnerability factors of patients seen within one of New York City's Sexual Assault Forensic Examiners (SAFE) Program and correlate to the degree of physical trauma severity following sexual assault.

DESIGN

A retrospective electronic health record data study on female patients 13 and older seen by the SAFE program from 2021 to 2023.

METHODS

Vulnerability risk factors of age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, mental health, substance abuse, and assailant type were analyzed and correlated to the degree of trauma injury, with p-value of less than 0.05 considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

One hundred sixty-seven cases were included. Age ranged from 13 to 93 years. One hundred four patients (62.3%) experienced no injury, 51 (30.5%) minor trauma, and 12 (7.2%) major trauma. Alcohol intoxication at the time of assault (25.7%), substance abuse (47.9%), mental health condition (58.7%), or disability (25.7%) did not increase injury severity. Assault by an intimate partner increased risk of major trauma compared to acquaintance or stranger (50.0% versus 33.3% versus 16.7%, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

This study highlights the diversity of the sexual assault victim population and the rate of traumatic injuries and vulnerability risk factors present. Knowledge of these factors may aid in both treatment and connection to appropriate resources following assault.