SEXUAL ASSAULT IN FEMALE MINORS

Abstract

Background: Sexual assault on female minors is a frequent
and often underestimated phenomenon despite its impact
on the physical and mental health of the victim.
Objectives: Assess the extent of this phenomenon in our
region, and discuss the legal evolution of sexual assault.
Methods: This is a descriptive retrospective study conducted
in the Forensic Department in Habib Bourguiba University
Hospital in Sfax, Tunisia from January 2015 to December
2017. It involved all cases of female minors who were
sexual assault victims consulting under judicial requisition.
Results: Sexual assault among minors mainly involved the
girls of median age of 14 years. They were mostly single.
This phenomenon affected all socio-economical categories
with a predominance of the urban origin of the victims.
Sexual assault was characterized by its occurrence in summer. Victims were subject to physical, verbal and sexual
violence which was the most noted. The gynecological
examination of these miners mainly objectified an intact
hymen and anal area without fissures. Conclusion: The fight against sexual violence among
minors remains a priority. Legislative measures against
this form of violence can be a mean of primary and
secondary prevention of this form of violence, alongside a
better socio-cultural and sexual education of young people,
and a lifting of social and cultural inhibitions allowing
systematic abuse reporting and proper care of the victims.