REVIEW  FEMALE SEXUALITY IN HEALTH AND DISEASE: A JOURNEY ALONG A WOMAN’S LIFE 

Minerva Obstetrics and Gynecology 2022 June;74(3):261-9

DOI: 10.23736/S2724-606X.22.05071-0

Copyright © 2022 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

lingua: Inglese

Sexual violence in adult women and adolescents

Giussy BARBARA ^{1, 2} ✉, Laura BUGGIO ¹, Laila MICCI ¹, Gaia SPINELLI ¹, Cristina PAIOCCHI ¹, Dhouha DRIDI ¹, Giulia E. CETERA ², Federica FACCHIN ³, Agnese DONATI ², Paolo VERCELLINI ^{1, 2}, Alessandra KUSTERMANN ¹

¹ Service for Sexual and Domestic Violence, Gynecological Unit, Foundation IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy; ² Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy; ³ Department of Psychology, Sacred Heart Catholic University, Milan, Italy

Sexual violence is a widespread phenomenon, as it has been estimated that about 35.6% of women have experienced some forms of sexual abuse, with variable prevalence estimates worldwide. Sexual violence has remarkable negative consequences on women’s health and quality of life, with a specific harmful impact on women’s psychological well-being and sexuality. In this narrative review, we provide an overview on the phenomenon of sexual violence against adult women and adolescents, discussing its associated multiple negative consequences with a specific focus on clinical and sexological aspects. “Women-centered care” and a multidisciplinary approach appear of pivotal importance when working with sexual violence survivors. Woman should be engaged in all the clinical activities as equal partners in the decision-making process, and should be supported by multiple and different professional figures (i.e. gynecologists, psychologists, sexologists, forensic medical doctors, lawyers) working within the framework of a cooperative integrated model.

KEY WORDS: Sex offenses; Sexual trauma; Rape; Adolescent; Women