After Rape: Mexican Women’s Help-Seeking and Access to Emergency Health Care in Public Prosecutor’s Offices

Abstract

Using a mixed-methods design, this study examines the prevalence of women’s rape by someone other than an intimate partner in Mexico, women’s formal help-seeking strategies and their access to emergency healthcare in state attorney agencies. 18 out of every 10,000 Mexican women were raped during 2011. Only 8.37% of them sought help in law-enforcement agencies and less than 1% in public health services. Specialized agencies in sexual crimes tend to lack attention protocols (70%), and medical examiners (26.7%). Emergency medical care for victims is not guaranteed nor are referrals to public healthcare services for emergency contraception, treatment for STDs and pregnancy interruption.

Keywords

rape victim services health care after rape help-seeking México public prosecutor’s offices violence against women

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