ABSTRACT
Rape is defined as ‘unlawful sexual intercourse by a man with a woman, by force, fear or fraud’ (Sexual Offences Act 1956, England). The man must either know that the woman did not give consent or was reckless (i.e. ‘did not care’) whether she gave consent or not (Sexual Offences [Amendments] Act 1976, England). This chapter will highlight the role of the examining doctor (forensic medical examiner or FME) in the assessment of victims of sexual assault (the complainant). It will detail the physical and psychological sequelae of rape, what forensic evidence should be obtained, the legal implications of the forensic medical examination and what is required in the witness statement.
