title: Sexual assault centers: attendance rates, and differences between early and late presenting cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sexual assault centers (SACs) aim at assisting victims and to provide forensic medical examination (FME). This study explores the gap between assaults actually occurring and those seen at SAC; and the characteristics of cases presented in time/too late for FME (early and late cohorts).
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrograde descriptive study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A two-year series from a self-referral SAC; characteristics of victims, assaults, use of services.
  
  
  METHODS
  Chi-quadrate, uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Number of female victims seen/female at-risk population (attendance rates). Case and service profiles in the two cohorts. Adjusted odds for late presentation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Attendance rates for females were 0.12% (14-55 years); an estimated 4-7% of sexually assaulted females in the catchment area. Two hundred and seventy eight victims arrived in time for FME, 76 later; 6% males. Assaults in the early cohort were more often performed by strangers. Two hundred and thirty-eight victims underwent FME, 55% complied with follow-up, 55% reported to the police. The late cohort contained more adolescent victims, more acquainted/partner perpetrators, more verbal coercion; 45% medically examined, 80% follow-up compliance; 34% reported to police. Further referrals occurred equally often in both cohorts; 12% to somatic and 39% to psychiatric services. Among victims seen, 5% died within 7 years of consultation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cases seen at SAC are strongly selected. The late cohort seems more representative of the commonly occurring assaults; young victims, known assailants. Even late presenters are in need of a multidisciplinary approach.
authors.affiliation: Sexual Assault Centre, Oslo Emergency Ward, Oslo, Norway.
authors.forename: Helle
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nesvold
authors.forename: Svein
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Friis
authors.forename: Kari
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ormstad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000554:Ambulatory Care Facilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003068:Coercion; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016495:Police; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors; D019037:Urban Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population