Screening Tools - Sexual Assault
ACOG recommends that physicians screen ALL patients at EVERY visit for sexual assault. To help physicians with this difficult process, ACOG has developed tools to screen for sexual assault:
Screening teens for rape and sexual assault can be conducted by making a statement and asking the following questions:*
"Because sexual violence is an enormous problem for women in this country and can affect a woman's health and well being, I now ask all my patients about exposure to violence and about sexual assault.
- Do you have someone special in your life? Someone you're going out with?
- Are you now--or have you been--sexually active?
- Think abour your earliest sexual experience. Did you want this experience?
- Has a friend, a date, or an acquaintance ever pressured or forced you into sexual activities when you did not want them? Touched you in a way that made you uncomfortable? Anyone at home? Anyone at school? Any other adult?
- Although women are never responsible for rape, there are things they can do that may reduce their risk of sexual assault. Do you know how to reduce your risk of sexual assault?"
*Consult your state laws for child abuse, child sexual assault, and statutory rape reporting requirements.