The National Violence Against Women survey reported that 1 of 6 US women have experienced an attempted or completed rape. Each year almost three million women are injured during rape and sexual assault. Because of the success in identifying microscopic genital injury in sexual assaulted children, more practitioners are using a colposcope during the exam of adult females. Colposcopic photos are then used in court testimony to document non-consensual vs. consensual sex.
The specific aim of this study is to determine whether experts can accurately predict consensual vs. non-consensual sex from colposcopic photographs. Research questions include: 1) Can experts differentiate between colposcopic photos of women groups of women: those who have experienced consensual vs. non-consensual sex? 2) When viewed as colposcopic photons, what is the difference in number, type and location of injury to the female genitalia and/or anus after consensual versus non-consensual sex? 3) What are the differences in the sensitivity and specificity of colposcopic photos in detecting injury to the female genitalia and/or anus in African-American and White women? The study will involve prospective enrollment of control subjects who will undergo a colposcopic exam following consensual sex. The photographs derived from the exam will be compared to a retrospective review of photographs from unidentified sexual assault survivors. 100 control subjects who are examined after consensual sexual intercourse will be enrolled over the three years of the study. Chart records and colposcopic photos of sexual assault survivors will be reviewed retrospectively and matched to control subjects by ethnicity, age, and time from assault to exam. A panel of five gynecologic and forensic experts will attempt to differentiate between the photographs of women with consensual (n=100) and non-consensual (n=100) attempt to differentiate between the photographs of women with consensual (n=100) and non-consensual (n=100) sex. They will also determine the frequency, type and location of injury to the female genitalia and/or anus after consensual versus non- consensual sex. Sensitivity, specificity, and other statistics describing the raters' ability to differentiate between the two sets of photographs will be calculated. Findings will also support or refute statements by experts that they can differentiate consensual versus non-consensual sex from colposcopy photos. Ultimately the study has the potential to improve evidence-based practice and enhance conviction rates for rape.
| Brawner, Bridgette M; Sommers, Marilyn S; Moore, Kendra et al. (2016) Exploring Genitoanal Injury and HIV Risk Among Women: Menstrual Phase, Hormonal Birth Control, and Injury Frequency and Prevalence. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 71:207-12 |
| Everett, Janine S; Sommers, Marilyn S (2013) Skin viscoelasticity: physiologic mechanisms, measurement issues, and application to nursing science. Biol Res Nurs 15:338-46 |
| Sommers, Marilyn; Beacham, Barbara; Baker, Rachel et al. (2013) Intra- and inter-rater reliability of digital image analysis for skin color measurement. Skin Res Technol 19:484-91 |
| Everett, Janine S; Budescu, Mia; Sommers, Marilyn S (2012) Making sense of skin color in clinical care. Clin Nurs Res 21:495-516 |
| Sommers, Marilyn S; Brown, Kathleen M; Buschur, Carole et al. (2012) Injuries from intimate partner and sexual violence: Significance and classification systems. J Forensic Leg Med 19:250-63 |
| Alexander, Kamila A; Dovydaitis, Tiffany; Beacham, Barbara et al. (2011) Learning health equity frameworks within a community of scholars. J Nurs Educ 50:569-74 |
| Baker, Rachel B; Fargo, Jamison D; Shambley-Ebron, Donna et al. (2010) A source of healthcare disparity: race, skin color, and injuries after rape among adolescents and young adults. J Forensic Nurs 6:144-50 |
| Zink, Therese; Fargo, Jamison D; Baker, Rachel B et al. (2010) Comparison of methods for identifying ano-genital injury after consensual intercourse. J Emerg Med 39:113-8 |
| Sommers, Marilyn S; Fargo, Jamison D; Baker, Rachel B et al. (2009) Health disparities in the forensic sexual assault examination related to skin color. J Forensic Nurs 5:191-200 |
| Sommers, Marilyn S; Zink, Therese M; Fargo, Jamison D et al. (2008) Forensic sexual assault examination and genital injury: is skin color a source of health disparity? Am J Emerg Med 26:857-66 |
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