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CC BY 4.0 · Rev Bras Ginecol Obstet 2020; 42(02): 106-113
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1701465
Integrative Review
Thieme Revinter Publicações Ltda Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Genital Injuries: Are They Telling us Something about Sexual Violence?

Carolina Orellana-Campos 
1   Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Unit, Roberto del Río Children’s Hospital, Santiago, Chile
2   Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Unit, Santa María Clinic, Santiago, Chile
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Publikationsverlauf

05. Juni 2019

22. November 2019

Publikationsdatum:
30. März 2020 (online)

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Abstract

Genital injury has a forensic relevance after a sexual assault and it has been discussed and investigated among professionals who work in this field. To analyze the studies published in the last decades, the present review examines different factors that may influence this finding, first clarifying terms of the forensic field, such as the peculiarity of the legal medical examination, and the distinction of the terms “legal” and “anatomical” vagina. Finally, it analyses if it is possible that the existence of these injuries in victims explain the lack of consent in sexual contact, and to clarify the meaning of the absence of injuries.

Keywords

sexual assault - rape - genital injury
 

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