Forensic nursing care for adult male victims of sexual violence: a scoping review

Objective  To map and synthetize evidence on forensic nursing care for adult men victims of sexual violence.

Methods  A scoping review in accordance with JBI method. The eligibility criteria included: Population - adult men aged 18 to 59 years old; Concept - forensic nursing care; and Context - sexual violence against an adult man treated in health services. The search was carried out in three stages by two researchers, with the participation of a third reviewer to solve doubts. Data collection was carried out from data sources using descriptors and keywords. For this review, the temporal and idiomatic cut-off was not updated. The Virtual Health Library (VHL), Nursing Database (BDENF), Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) via PubMed, CINAHL via Ebsco databases and gray literature were used. Data were systematically spread sheeted, and inductive content analysis was carried out on 16 included studies. Synthesis of results was presented using charts, infographics and diagrams.

Results  It focused on compassionate care and helping relationship, subjective data recording, need to remove the victim’s clothes, head-foot examination, injury recording on body diagrams, photographic records, forensic trace collection and preservation, oropharyngeal collection, penile, scrotal and anorectal swabs. Care related to colposcopy, use of Wood’s lamp and anoscopy was mapped.

Conclusion  Situations of sexual violence against men, although little addressed, can occur frequently in everyday life, which implies the recognition of care that can promote welcoming in order to preserve their integrity and reduce trauma arising from this situation as well as guaranteeing forensic trace recording.

Forensic nursing; Sex offenses; Men’s health; Crime victims