| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 27
| Issue : 3 | Page : 187-190 |
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Child sexual assault: A study in Manipur
Saka Koko Maring, Thounaojam Meera, Thoidingjam Bijoy Singh, Huidrom Nabachandra
Department of Forensic Medicine, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal, Manipur, India
Correspondence Address:
Thounaojam Meera
Department of Forensic Medicine, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal - 795 004, Manipur
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0972-4958.127389
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Background: Children and adolescents are the most vulnerable victims of sexual assault even though no age is considered safe. The aim of the present study was to determine the socio-demographic characteristics of sexually assaulted children in Manipur, the relationship between the victim and the assailant, and the pattern of the injuries sustained by the victims. Materials and Methods: This retrospective descriptive study was carried out in our department and all cases of child sexual assault (below 18 years of age) brought for examination during January 2005 to December 2011 have been considered. The history given by the victims or parents or relatives and the police were recorded; general as well as local examination findings were noted and the data collected were analyzed. Results: Out of the total 144 cases of sexual assault, 51.4% were child victims. Nearly, 29.73% of the cases were constituted by children below 12 years while 31.08% and 39.19% were children of 12 to <15 years and 15 to <18 years respectively. The mean age of the victims was 12.4 years. Most of the cases (40.54%) occurred in the house of the assailant or his friend; however, children below 15 years (16.22%) were sexually assaulted in their houses. Almost, 78.4% of the assailants were known to the victims and only 9.5% had stranger assailants. Majority of the cases (89.15%) occurred during the afternoon or early evening. Nearly, 14.8% of the cases showed associated external injuries. Hymenal tear was present in 60.8% of the cases and 16.2% had vulval injuries. Conclusion: Child sexual offence is on the rise in this part of the country. Spreading of awareness to encourage early reporting, stringent punishment to the perpetrators and immediate proper care and protection of such innocent victims remain key factors to deal with this heinous crime. |
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