title: Intimate Partner Sexual Assault: Traumatic Injuries, Psychological Symptoms, and Perceived Social Reactions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the consequences of sexual assault based on the relationship of the woman to her named assailant.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2008 to March 2011, we conducted an observational and prospective study of females older than age 15 years who were examined at a sexual assault referral center. Data were collected and comparisons made between groups based on the victim's relationship to her named assailant: a current or former intimate partner (grouped as intimate partner), stranger, or acquaintance. Data were collected regarding the patients, assailants, and type of assault. At a 1-month follow-up examination, we evaluated clinical findings and reported reactions by the victim's friends, family, and acquaintances. We conducted descriptive analyses and searched for overall and pairwise differences among groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 797 individuals seen during this time period. Thirty of the victims were male and were excluded from the study, leaving 767 females older than 15 years of age, 294 (38%) of whom attended the follow-up consultation. Simultaneous physical and sexual assaults were more frequent in intimate partner assaults than in assaults by unknown individuals or acquaintances: 55% (95% confidence interval [CI] 49-61) compared with 31% (95% CI 26-36) and 32% (95% CI 26-38; P<.001). One month after the initial examination, psychological trauma was noted in 92% of the patients and was evenly distributed among the three groups. Reactions from family members were similar for victims assaulted by intimate partners and other victims.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sexual assault by an intimate partner is associated with higher rates of extragenital trauma and similar rates of psychologic trauma and disrupted other relationships as that associated with assaults by strangers or acquaintances. Sexual assaults by intimate partners should be viewed as serious as assault by other assailants by law enforcement, the judiciary, and the public.
authors: Department of Forensic Medicine, Hôpital Jean-Verdier (AP-HP), Bondy, and Institut de Recherche Interdisciplinaire sur les Enjeux Sociaux (IRIS), Paris, France.
authors: Marie
authors: M
authors: Seyller
authors: Céline
authors: C
authors: Denis
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: Dang
authors: Cyril
authors: C
authors: Boraud
authors: Aude
authors: A
authors: Lepresle
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: Lefèvre
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Chariot
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D000066511:Intimate Partner Violence / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011902:Rape / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult