Silent Victims of Crime: the Search for Effective Interviewing Techniques by Medical Providers

Sexual assault is a widespread devastating crime with the potential to involve medical, psychological, and legal systems. According to the survey, “Rape in America: A Report to the Nation. Arlington, VA: National Victim Center” large population-based surveys indicate the lifetime prevalence of rape to be about 13 to 39% among women. Unfortunately, these data are most likely an underestimation, because most large studies do not sample vulnerable populations (e.g., homeless, sheltered, or institutionalized persons).