MANAGEMENT OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN THE ISSAKA GAZOBY MATERNITY HOSPITAL OF NIAMEY (NIGER)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:  Sexual violence is a scourge in the world despite numerous binding human rights treaties prohibiting violence, especially against women and children. This study focuses on the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of gender-based violence followed at the Issaka Gazoby Maternity (MIG).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of a descriptive type covering the period from 01/01/2022 to 31/12/2022. This study consisted of collecting all the alleged cases of sexual violence received in forensic expertise at MIG as part of a police and gendarmerie requisition. 424 expert files for gender-based violence were collected, including 309 on alleged sexual violence against women and minor girls in the city of Niamey.

RESULTS:  The average age was 13 with extremes of 3 months and 30 years. All alleged victims were female. Rape was the most common type of assault (21.03%). The alleged sexual assaults were by far more frequent with nearly 66% (n=203) ; and the hymens were deflorated in 48.2% of the victims, hymenal relics in 14% of the cases and intact hymens in 36.2% of the cases. Signs of pathological leucorrhesa-type genital infection were reported in 28% of cases. For biological examinations, only 8.4% (n=26) of the victims had paraclinic-tested, and no germ was isolated at the genital sample. Medical treatment was performed in ambulatory and oral antibiotic therapy was frequent (23.62%).

CONCLUSION: Gender-based violence is a serious violation of the rights and dignity of the individual, as well as a serious violation of the physical and mental integrity of victims. However, the difficulty lay in the medical treatment of the victims.

Keywords: Sexual violence; women; forensic; Maternity Issaka Gazoby.