The Killing of Women Without Weapon: 5 year medico-legal study of rape cases in Karachi

Abstract

Background: Rape is amongst the most prevalent sexual assault against women in Pakistan.These bullets when fired damage the physical, psychological, social, and economical well being of the victim, culminating often into problems culminating in a myriad of social, psychological and medical problems. Objective: To analyze the various medico legal parameters & dimensions of alleged rape cases in metropolis of Karachi and present this analysis in relation to the demographic parameters of the alleged cases. Methods: A descriptive and cross sectional study on a total of 1210 cases of alleged sexual assault, that were reported from January 1, 2007 till December 31, 2011, at the three authorized medico legal centers of Karachi: Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Center, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and Civil Hospital Karachi. Results: Amongst the total of 1210 cases, majority involved unmarried females (n=898; 74.21%), whereas married cases were 312(25.79%). On an average 20% of the cases were reported per year (n=292), with peak incidence in 2011 when the percentage rose to 21.65 %( n=262) and the minimum being at 17.27 %( n=209) in year 2007. Most cases were reported 0-6 th day post incident with the percentage being 35.70 %.( n=432). The cases in which examination was carried out between 1 week to 1 month after incident were 64.29 %( n=778). The negative cases came out to be 62.56 %( n=757) and positive cases came out to be 37.43 %( n=453), on the bases of clinical findings (i.e. tears local injuries) and laboratory investigations. Sexual assault is more common, in the age group of 15-20 years (n=586; 48.42%). Conclusion: Rape as sexual assault is still a major concern in our region. Most of the cases reported were however not proved to be positive; Reasons being many, especially when the victim report their cases late or the nature of cases being such (as in rape after abduction) that relevant physical findings were rendered useless to provide evidence. There is a need to provide safeguards to such victims so that they may seek legal and medical attention sooner, and measures to provide social security to such sufferers so that their physical and mental health can be restored in due time. Key Words: Rape, Indecent Assault, Incest.