Profile of victims of natural sexual offences in South Bangalore

Rape is a notoriously under-reported crime in India, because of its social stigma and the fact that in most of the cases, culprits are known to the victim. The examination of the survivors of alleged sexual offences is one of the most difficult tasks in Medical practice. Methodology: This study was carried out between January 2012 to June 2013 in the Department of Forensic Medicine at Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital & Research Centre, Bangalore, Karnataka. The cases registered under sections 375, 376 IPC and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act were included in the study. Results: Total 35 victims were examined during study period. Of these, 24 (68.5%) were in the age group of 15 years to 20 years; 26 (74.2%) cases were educated up to school level. Unmarried victims were the maximum, 34 (97.1%); in 17(48.5%) cases, the incident occurred between evening & midnight, and in 14 (40%) cases, it occurred in the accused's house. Among the 35 female victims, 17 (48.6%) presented with recent tears of hymen while 11 (31.4%) had old tears of hymen. The manner of offence in majority of the rape cases, 23 (58.9%) was of the consensual type, which was followed by 10 cases (25.6%) of forcible rape. Discussion: The present study shows that younger age females who are unmarried and school goers are more vulnerable to sexual assault. In the overwhelming majority of cases, the incident took place within the house of accused or the victim and in the night. Significant number of cases had consensual sexual activity and this was the probable reason for lesser general physical trauma.