Medicolegal analysis of sodomy cases at beni-suef governorate from January 2011 to December 2015 – A retrospective study

Abstract

Sodomy is anal intercourse between 2 men (homosexual sodomy) or a man and a woman (heterosexual sodomy) also known as buggery, when the passive agent is a child, sodomy is referred to as paederasty. This study sheds some light on one sensitive Egyptian issue, sodomy cases, with quantification of the demographics and medico legal findings, related to female child and male cases presenting to Beni Suef governorate Forensic Medical Authority, Egypt, between 2011 and 2015. 51 cases of sodomy were analysed, the mean age of victims is 9.79 years in children and 24.30 years in adults. 74.19% of cases were male children while 85% were adult females. Cases occurred mainly in urban areas for both child (61.29%) and adult (55%) victims. Frequency of sodomy cases shows an ascending manner. Most child victims had primary education 77.42%, unlike 35% high education in adult victims. 96.67% of assailants had no relation to children, 50% were relative in adult cases. Multiple assailants were present in 13% of child victims, 30% in adult victims. Physical force was the commonest in child 51.62% and adult 50% victims. assailants were guilty in 54.84% of child victims, 50% in adult victims. Forensic examination of children took (2-5 days) in 61.30%of child cases and (1-2 weeks) in 50% adult cases. Semen was detected in 19.35% of child cases and in 15% of adult cases. Genital Injuries were found in 45.16% of children and55% in adult cases. Rape accompanied sodomy in 19.35% of child cases and 25% of adult cases. Conclusion—these analyses demonstrate that the very low incidence may also suggest gross underreporting; making awareness of importance of reporting of sexual offences is mandatory.