Acute and non-acute markers of sexual offense. A comparison study

Sexual aggression is a worldwide problem, affecting children of all ages, socioeconomic levels, and cultural backgrounds, with serious bio-psychosocial consequences. This study aims to contribute to an earlier detection and prevention of children sexual aggression (CSA), through the characterization of its recent and non-recent markers, from a forensic point-of-view. For this purpose, a retrospective study was conducted, through the analysis of forensic medical reports of the alleged victims as well as the corresponding judicial outcomes, from 2004 to 2012 (n=372). Results evidenced that recent CSA is more associated with single sexual contacts, perpetrated by strangers, characterized by more physical and sexual violence, suggestive or nonspecific injuries, the presence of heterologous male profile, with higher rates of diagnostic and suggestive forensic medical examination (FME) conclusions. Non-recent CSA is associated with more regular sexual contact, perpetrated by familial aggressors, characterized by less physical and more psychological violence, absent injuries, forensic psychological assessments, with higher rates of nonspecific FME conclusions. In conclusion, health professionals must be aware of this problem to early detect and refer cases to forensic services, to improve better treatment and protection of the victims, as well as allow an effective prosecution in court.