Medical Violence or Standard Care? Sexual Victimization and Perceptions of Pelvic Examinations Under Anesthesia

• In Event: Gender, Victimization, and Justice: Exploring Impacts and Intervention Strategies

Abstract

Sexual victimization affects hundreds of thousands of Americans annually. While research has extensively documented the mental and physical health consequences of this form of violent victimization, including anxiety, depression, and PTSD, less is known about how it shapes perceptions of medical procedures, particularly gynecological examinations. This study examines how sexual victimization history influences perceptions of pelvic examinations under anesthesia—a medical practice rarely scrutinized in criminological literature. Using data from a nationally representative sample of emerging adult women in the US, this research investigates whether prior sexual victimization correlates with negative views of pelvic examinations under anesthesia. Findings reveal that women who have experienced sexual assault are significantly more likely to perceive pelvic examinations under anesthesia as a form of medical violence compared to those without histories of sexual victimization. This study contributes to our understanding of the far-reaching impacts of sexual trauma and raises important questions about medical practices, consent, and trauma-informed care.

Author

• Kristin Lloyd, Clemson University