Context

The Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) estimated that by end of 2017 20% of women (3.4 million) and 4% of men (631,000) had experienced some kind of sexual assault since the age of 16⁴. Around 90% of perpetrators are known to victims³.

In 2013, An Overview of Sexual Offending in England and Wales³ estimated that 85000 women and 12000 men aged 16-59 experience rape, attempted rape or assault by penetration every year, equating to 11 offences an hour. Only 15% of these offences are reported to the police³.

Many victims will present to the Emergency Department (ED); this RCEM Learning session will summarise guidelines and evidence surrounding their management in the acute setting.

Recommendations are drawn from the RCEM Best Practice Guidelines⁵.