Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bogota (Agenzia Fides) - Sexual violence should be treated as a medical emergency and survivors should be guaranteed accessible and comprehensive medical treatment, said the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.
In Colombia, 80% of survivors of sexual violence treated by MSF between June 2012 and August 2013 had not looked for help in local health structures. The obstacles to their seeking health and psychological help were: the lack of awareness that an assault requires medical attention; not considering they had suffered sexual violence; threats by the perpetrator, and shyness, among others.
It is crucial that survivors of sexual violence get medical attention within the first 72 hours of an attack, in order to provide prophylaxis to prevent HIV/AIDS, and to administer antibiotics that will help prevent infections. Apart from the physical consequences, sexual violence has a devastating psychological impact. Almost all the survivors show symptoms such as aggression, sadness, excessive fear, irritability or anger, and anxiety or stress. Less than one in every three woman treated by MSF had received psychological support after their assault. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 26/11/2014)
