RAPE
THE HOSPITAL
EXAMINATION
Medical examination: A police woman will
accompany the rape survivor to the Accident and Emergency Department at the
Hospital.
Before the examination proper, the rape survivor will be provided with forms requesting her approval for the examination and that the information be used for police investigation into the case. During the examination, a nurse is always present to assist the doctor.
The doctor will record the following: the name of the person who brought the survivor, a short factual account of the incident, relevant points in survivor's history regarding habits, intercourse, vaginal discharge, infections, pregnancies, operations, etc, as well as menstrual history. The survivor's general behaviour, mental state and any signs of alcohol or drug influence are noted. The doctor will also want to know if she has had a bath or change of clothes.
The examination proper is carried out in the following order:
Clothes are examined for the presence of blood and seminal stains, tears and mud. Any marks or suspicious stains are preserved for examination by the chemical examiner.
Marks of violence such as scratches, abrasions and bruises on the forearms, wrists, face, chest and lower part of the abdomen, inner thighs and back should be properly identified, recorded and carefully described with regards to their appearance, extent, situation and probable duration. Swabs are taken of and around any teeth marks on the survivor's body for the presence of the accused's saliva. Broken nails are noted and debris under the nails removed for examination.
The genital area is examined by an Obstetrician & Gynaecology doctor.
Matted pubic hair due to the presence of semen is cut off for examination. Dried seminal stains on the external genitals and thighs are scraped off by means of a clean blunt knife for subsequent examination.Genital organs are examined for signs of bleeding that may have been caused by injury.
Bruises and lacerations on the external genitals are noted.
The hymen is examined for rupture signs if the survivor was a virgin before the attack.
Vaginal secretion obtained by introducing a sterile cotton wool swab is examined to determine the presence or spermatozoa.
The muco-purulent or purulent discharge is examined for signs of venereal infection
In case of
pregnancy
In situations where the victim is pregnant and would like to seek abortion,
a stringent procedure is adhered to. According to the Abortion Act 1967,
abortion or Termination of Pregnancy (TOP) is illegal in Malaysia. However,
it can be allowed if the foetus endangers the mother's health or if the pregnancy
causes great psychological stress to the mother, In such a situation, the
doctors may recommend TOP. Under the Medical Act, the recommendations of
these specialists make TOP legal.
•
Rape: It's not your falut!
•
The hospital examination
• The accused: What happens
to him
•
What happens next?
• Laws relating to rape
•
How to help a rape survivor
•
Book on rape:
Shame, Secrecy and Silence – Study of Rape in
Penang.