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Research Article | Volume 18 Issue 6 (June, 2026) | Pages 554 - 565
Demographic Patterns, Risk Factors and Psychosocial Impact of Sexual Assault: A Cross-Sectional Study
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1
Assistant Professor, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Liaquat University of Medical Health and Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, Pakistan
2
Undergraduate Students, Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Liaquat University of Medical Health and Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, Pakistan.
Under a Creative Commons license
Open Access
Received
May 7, 2026
Revised
June 15, 2026
Accepted
June 21, 2026
Published
June 30, 2026
Abstract

Background: Sexual Assault has become a serious public health, social and legal issue worldwide, affecting all age groups and both genders negatively and triggering extreme physical, psychological and social consequences and trauma for the survivors of sexual assault. There is a lack of quality research regarding this issue in Pakistan. The purpose of this study is to determine the demographic features of the victims of sexual assault, the circumstances leading to sexual assault, and how it can affect the psychological perspective of survivors of sexual assault. The cases of sexual assault are assessed through medical and legal examination. Thus, individuals who are referred for medicolegal purposes can be studied to assess the circumstances leading to sexual assault, the background of the victims and the consequences of sexual assault trauma. Objective: To reveal some situational and demographic trends of sexual abuse and particular risk factors of sexual abuse reported to the center. The impacts of sexual assault on the victim on the social, psychological and physical levels. Methodology: This study looked at data collected at one point in time from the Medicolegal Section of Liaquat University Hospital in Hyderabad. All 97 cases of sexual assault referred for medicolegal examination were selected by simple random sampling. Data were collected by a structured questionnaire and from the medicolegal files of the participants. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage for categorical data and mean and standard deviation for numerical data. Chi-square test was applied for association. Significance was set at p less than 0.05. The software used for computations: SPSS version 27.Results: Ninety-seven individuals formed the study pool. Sixty-one participants identified as female. Among those recorded, young individuals showed up frequently, fifty-four cases altogether. Unmarried individuals showed up seventy-one times in responses. Secondary schooling came up twenty-seven times as a response, quite a bit more than others. Intermediate level education followed that, recording sixteen instances. Physical contact stood out as the main kind of abuse noted, eighty-eight cases tallied. Threats played a role for many; exactly seventy-one said they’d been threatened. Reports came back from 92.8 percent, making it ninety submissions in all. A quarter, roughly, said they had faced domestic abuse at some point, twenty-six people in number. Psychosocial consequences were common among participants. Most people involved said they pulled away socially - seventy out of ninety-seven noted this change. Trouble believing others showed up often, too, affected seventy-four individuals across the group. School work took a hit for eighty-five folks, nearly nine out of ten facing some kind of struggle there. The weight on mental health and daily connections feels clear when looking at these numbers. Young women who are not married tend to experience this harm more frequently than others seen here. Emotional fallout, along with shifts in how one relates to society, sticks around long after the event itself.Conclusion: Sexual assault is a serious public health and social issue, mainly affecting young females. Findings were presented on the various demographic and socioeconomic factors making individuals more vulnerable to sexual assault. In addition, severe psychosocial effects on survivors of sexual assault were reported, such as emotional distress, anxiety, depression and social isolation. To deal with the negative effects of sexual assault, strategies for sexual assault prevention as well as public awareness campaigns and accessible psychological support should be set up in order to decrease the burden of sexual assault and to promote the well-being of its survivors.

Keywords
INTRODUCTION

Sexual assault is characterized by aggressive behavior in which the perpetrator uses sexual acts as a means of power, control, anger, and hostility. Sexual assault is defined as "an event that was unwanted by the victim, including penetration of the victim's mouth, rectum, or vagina, and including the use or threat of force”[1]. Sexual violence, from the World Health Organization (WHO) view, includes child marriage, forced marriage, rape, sexual abuse, and many other forms of sexual intercourse without consent. Millions of people worldwide have been affected by this public health problem. About 18–21.3% of women and 1–7.1% of men report experiencing attempted or completed rape. Approximately 35.6% of women report being a victim of sexual violence in their lifetime. [2]  Violence against Women and girls increases day by day. Survey studies showed that 28 percent of ever-married women aged 15-49 years had experienced physical, 6 percent of ever-married women aged 15-49 years had experienced sexual violence at the hands of their male partners. According to the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey 2017-18,Most women facing abuse from partners stay silent. Just under half saw spots offering aid. Family ignoring them, money troubles, not knowing where to turn - these kept many quiet. Services too far away. Privacy hard to find. Some did not explain at all. Silence often grows from tangled roots: culture, cash, clues missing, clinics out of reach. Help slips through gaps built by society, wallets empty, words unshared [3]. Long before conclusions emerge, clues about what raises or lowers risks tend to surface through long-term tracking. Pulling data from 16 separate projects, researchers spotted eight clear patterns - one being drinking habits, another resentment toward women, also rule-breaking actions during youth. Belonging to fraternities showed up repeatedly, just like prior acts of sexual harm, warped views on assault, early physical involvement, and friends who excuse abuse - all woven into a bigger picture by statistical review.[4].Sexual crimes are also common by using digital technology. They are visual sexual abuse, online sexual exploitation and harassment, sextortion, and sharing of sexual images and videos without consent, among many others (5).  Childrens who is under the age of 18 years are the most vulnerable to online sexual exploitation. The youth are at great risk online as a result of the rapid technological advancement (6) Right away, how a person meets up with official setups - say, medical care or legal stuff - can shape what comes after trauma. Instead of waiting, leaning on loved ones or close contacts may also help slow down stress that lingers. From there, first reactions start to matter more, especially when thinking about how bad memories take root. Early moments hold weight, studies hint, when it comes to whether pain sticks around[7]. Non-prospective studies indicate that adolescent victims of sexual assault are more susceptible to a myriad of depressive and anxiety-related symptoms that include sadness, PTSD, difficulties in managing anger, low self-esteem, eating disorders, and attempted suicide (8). Depression sticks around for many who survive ASA, along with thoughts of ending life - proof of deep emotional scars left by sexual violence against women. Authorities and medical staff often come across as distant or unhelpful, while loved ones at home tend to be the main comfort. When things feel this heavy, steady care for the mind matters, together with genuine kindness shown by each person walking alongside those healing.[9]. Studies indicate that survivors who obtain positive social support and psychological assistance exhibit superior coping strategies and enhanced mental health outcomes compared to those who do not have sufficient support networks.[9]The sex crimes committed on the behalf of the adolescents and children are a complicated medico-legal case (10). )Across Pakistan, sexual assault stands as a pressing concern. Often, such abuse occurs without public notice - silenced by unjust legal systems or deep-rooted cultural attitudes favoring men. To grasp why these acts happen, along with their impact on survivors, becomes necessary. Though hidden, the pattern repeats quietly behind closed doors.

 

This work looks into who is affected by sexual abuse, along with the contributing dangers and mental health outcomes. By studying victim profiles, patterns begin to emerge about background traits. Insights drawn here might shape better early prevention efforts. Support systems could improve when guided by these observations. Understanding motives behind such acts may come into sharper view through this data. Effects on survivors’ daily functioning become more visible too. Applications of the results stretch toward reducing future harm. Helping those already harmed gains stronger footing with evidence like this. Clarity around long-term consequences follows from close analysis. New paths for care strategies appear once trends are mapped. Increasing concerns regarding sexual assault in Pakistan have limited research that is available regarding characteristics, risk factors, and psychosocial consequences; therefore, the present study aims to understand the demographic, risk, and psychosocial impact of sexual assault.

 

LITERATURE REVIEW

This paper examines how sexual assault impacts people across genders, looking into emotional and social consequences alongside patterns tied to age, background, and environment. Research shows close to fifty percent of childhood abuse incidents occur when individuals are younger than fifteen years old. Most frequently affected are females aged fifteen through twenty-five, yet males face similar harm - frequently unseen due to silence shaped by shame or disbelief. Broader cultural norms play a role too, influencing both occurrence and whether survivors speak out. [2] Kids lacking help from adults after facing accusations of sexual abuse often face harm once more, studies show. When families struggle with communication or fail to offer care, the chance of repeated trauma grows stronger [11]. Past incidents of sexual mistreatment during youth stand out as key predictors of later violence. Starting periods at a young age can open doors to unwanted attention sooner than expected. Getting into relationships too early sometimes leads down risky paths. Having many partners - romantic or otherwise - adds layers of exposure over time. Experiencing control or aggression in love lives marks another warning sign. Hanging around friends deeply involved in sex life may shift what feels normal. [12]. Each piece adds weight, though none act alone. Among those who experience sexual assault, long-term effects often show up in body, mind, and relationships. Life can feel harder each day, with ongoing struggles in both emotional state and bodily condition, sometimes leading to repeated harm. [13] Those identifying as gay, bisexual, or queer report far greater chances of facing such violence across a lifetime when looked at beside straight men. [14] Healing after sexual assault often depends on how people around the survivor respond. Though certain research shows minimal effect, several findings suggest emotional backing improves recovery chances. Reactions filled with blame or indifference tend to deepen distress, worsening mental health over time. Factors like the nature of the attack, available care, personal ways of handling stress, existing friendships, and what happens afterward - including legal involvement - shape each path differently. Support matters, but its influence shifts based on context and quality. [15] Though global data points to widespread underreporting of sexual assault, silence often follows due to stigma or dread. Help may feel out of reach when systems fail - medical routes blocked, legal paths unclear. Shame carves quiet; few speak up without trust. WHO notes how isolation worsens harm when responses lack empathy. Support must stretch beyond crisis moments into lasting care shaped by mental health needs. Legal guidance matters just as much during recovery's early hours and slow rebuilds after. While high-income countries document patterns closely, Pakistan remains understudied despite rising attention. Knowledge gaps linger around who faces highest risks and why certain groups suffer more. This work turns focus toward lived experiences: emotional scars left behind, backgrounds where trauma takes root, conditions feeding vulnerability across regions.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Types of Study A cross-sectional study employing a questionnaire was carried out to evaluate the demographic trends, risk elements, and psycho-social effects of sexual assault in recorded instances. Study Setting The research took place at the Medico-Legal Section, Liaquat University Hospital in Hyderabad, where victims of sexual assault generally receive medico-legal assessments. Study Duration This cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2023 to April 2026. Data related to sexual assault cases recorded during the study period were collected and analyzed. Study Population The study subjects consisted of people who underwent sexual assault and were referred to the Medico-legal Section of Liaquat University Hospital in Hyderabad for assessment and examination. Sample Size The sample size was established utilizing the OpenEpi software application (15). To establish the sample size for our study, the OpenEpi tool calculated a sample size of 97 with a 95% confidence interval. Sampling Technique Simple Random Sampling Technique. Sample Selection All verified cases of sexual assault involving male and female victims between the ages of 12 and 61 were included in the study. Participants who gave informed written consent and had complete medico-legal documentation reported during the study period were the only ones included. Participants with incomplete data, victims with mental disabilities, people whose age did not meet the study's requirements, and people who were unwilling to participate were all excluded. Additionally, individuals who underwent severe emotional distress during the interview process were not allowed to participate in the study. Data Collection: Data were collected through a structured questionnaire and medico-legal records of sexual assault cases reported to the Medico-legal Section of Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad. The study included 97 documented cases reported from 2023 to 2026. Information was gathered from hospital medico-legal documents and assessment reports. when possible, by conversing with victims or their caretakers. The questionnaire was designed to gather detailed information regarding demographic characteristics, circumstances of the assault, the connection between the perpetrator and the victim, along with associated physical, psychological and social impacts. The researcher collected all data after obtaining the required consent from the relevant hospital authorities. The confidentiality and private details of all participants were diligently protected during the study. To avoid the risk of data leakage, a distinct identification code was assigned to each case and private investigators were omitted from the final data. All gathered information was methodically arranged, assessed for accuracy and legitimacy and then readied for statistical evaluation. Statistical Analysis Analysis started once information was entered into SPSS 27. Examination followed a structured sequence after initial input. Background traits of participants, exposure to harm, and emotional consequences tied to sexual violence came into view via summary statistics. When categories applied, totals showed up together with percentage distributions. Most of the time, numbers lined up in recognizable ways once averages, medians, modes, and measures of range were applied. Because relationships between individual characteristics, risk signals, and feelings needed closer inspection, advanced statistics took over from basic summaries. Significance emerged clearly whenever outcomes fell below a 0.05 threshold. Visuals like bars and circles stepped forward alongside digits to lay out key trends without confusion. How things looked carried weight equal to the facts themselves during reporting phases.

RESULTS

Tables and graphical representations are used to present the study's findings. The participants' demographics, such as gender, age group, marital status and educational attainment, are described in the first section. The risk factors for sexual assault, including the type of abuse, the use of threats, reporting to authorities and a history of domestic violence, are presented in the second section. The participants' psychosocial effects, such as social disengagement, problems with trust and effects on academic achievement, are highlighted in the third section. For a few chosen variables, descriptive statistics (mean, median, and standard deviation) were computed. Additionally, the relationships between risk factors, psychosocial outcomes and demographic variables were investigated using Chi-square analysis. For easier interpretation and comparison, the results are displayed as tables and graphs.

 

Demographic Characteristics of Participants

Out of 97 people, more than half were women - 61 in total, which is about 63 percent. A large chunk fell into the younger age bracket; that makes 54 individuals, just over 55 percent. Being single was common, seen in 71 cases, nearly three out of every four. When it came to schooling, secondary level showed up most often: 27 people chose that option, a bit under 28 percent. Then there was intermediate education, selected by 16 respondents, roughly 16.5 percent of the group.

 

Table 01: Demographic Profile of Sexual Assault Survivors Included in the Study (n = 97)

Variables

Category

Frequency(n)

Percentage (%)

Gender

Male

36

37.1%

Female

61

62.9%

Age Group

Less than 12

12

12.4%

12-22 years

54

55.7%

22-32 years

20

20.6%

32-42 years

07

7.2%

42-52 years

02

2.1%

52-62 years

02

2.1%

Marital Status

Married

71

73.4%

Unmarried

24

24.7%

Divorce

02

2.1%

Education Status

No Formal Education

22

22.5%\

Primary

25

25.8%

Secondary

27

27.8%

Intermediate

16

16.5%

Graduate

06

6.2%

Postgraduate

01

1.0%

 

Risk Factor

Most cases involved physical contact as the form of mistreatment - eighty-eight people out of ninety-seven described it. Seventy-one individuals said threats occurred at the time, making up just over seven in ten. Ninety respondents took steps to notify official channels after what happened. Around one-quarter had faced similar harm within a household before, totaling twenty-six accounts.

Table:02 Risk Factors Associated with Sexual Assault among Study Participants (n = 97)

Variables

Category

Frequency(n)

Percentage(%)

Type of Abuse

Physical Abuse

88

90.7%

Non-Contact Abuse

06

6.2%

Verbal Abuse

01

1.0%

Online Sexual Exploitation

02

2.1%

Use of Threat

Yes

71

73.2%

No

26

26.8%

Reporting to Authorities

Yes

90

90.8%

No

07

7.2%

Domestic Violence

Yes

26

26.8%

No

71

71.2%

 

Figure 01: Distribution of Types of Sexual Assault Experienced by Participants

 

Figure 02: Reporting Behavior of Participants Following Sexual Assault.

 

Psychosocial Impact

Among those involved, emotional and social effects appeared regularly. A majority - seventy-two point two percent - took distance from others socially; that number rises when considering difficulties placing faith in people, noted by seventy-six point three percent. Performance within educational settings shifted noticeably afterward, seen across eighty-seven point six percent of instances. These figures reflect weight carried mentally and relationally after experiences of sexual assault.

 

Table:03 Psychosocial Impact of Sexual Assault on Study Participants (n = 97)

Variables

Category

Frequency(n)

Percentage(%)

Trust Issue

Yes

74

74.3%

No

23

23.7%

Academic Affected

Yes

85

87.6%

No

12

12.4

Social Withdrawal

Yes

70

72.2%

No

27

27.8%

 

Means, Median, Standard deviation

Across individuals, the average age stood at 2.37 with a variation of 1.003. Abuse lasted, on average, 1.25 units, with a standard deviation of 0.457; its occurrence repeated every 2.14 cycles, differing slightly by 0.520. Depression registered an average of 1.77, spread within 0.421 range. Anxiety followed closely at 1.86, showing minimal deviation near 0.353. Flashbacks appeared at 1.84, varying just above 0.373. Social retreat measured 1.79, dispersed across 0.407 points. Thoughts of ending life scored lowest - 1.43 - with wider inconsistency marked by 0.497. Self-worth concerns averaged 1.92, tightly clustered around 0.276. Most emotional indicators settled at 2.00 when ranked centrally -a sign such outcomes surfaced regularly throughout responses.

 

Table:04 Descriptive Statistics of Demographic, Abuse-Related, and Psychosocial Variables among Study Participants (n = 97)

Variables

Means

Median

Mode

Standard

Deviation

Minimum

(25th percentage)

Maximum

( 75th percentage)

Age of Incident

2.37

2.00

2

1.003

2.00

3.00

Duration of  Abuse

1.25

1.00

2

0.457

1.00

1.00

Frequency of Abuse

2.14

2.00

2

0.520

2.00

2.00

Depression

1.77

2.00

2

0.421

2.00

2.00

Anxiety

1.86

2.00

2

0.353

2.00

2.00

Flashback

1.84

2.00

2

0.373

2.00

2.00

Social dysfunction

1.79

2.00

2

0.407

2.00

2.00

Social withdrawal

1.42

1.00

1

0.497

1.00

2.00

Low of esteem

1.82

2.00

2

0.382

2.00

2.00

 

Table 05: Gender x Depression Cross Tabulation

E. CHI-SQUARE:

Chi-square analysis was performed to examine the association between selected demographic variables, risk factors, and psychosocial outcomes. The results are presented below.

A.   GENDER  DEPRESSION Cross tabulation

 

DEPRESSION

Total

NEVER

RARELY

GENDER

MALE

Count

11

25

36

% within GENDER

30.6%

69.4%

100.0%

% within DEPRESSION

50.0%

33.3%

37.1%

FEMALE

Count

11

50

61

% within GENDER

18.0%

82.0%

100.0%

% within DEPRESSION

50.0%

66.7%

62.9%

Total

Count

22

75

97

% within GENDER

22.7%

77.3%

100.0%

% within DEPRESSION

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

 

Chi-Square Tests

 

Value

df

Asymptotic Significance (2-sided)

Exact Sig. (2-sided)

Exact Sig. (1-sided)

Pearson Chi-Square

2.025a

1

.155

 

 

Continuity Correction

1.373

1

.241

 

 

Likelihood Ratio

1.978

1

.160

 

 

Fisher's Exact Test

 

 

 

.210

.121

Linear-by-Linear Association

2.004

1

.157

 

 

N of Valid Cases

97

 

 

 

 

Gender × Depression: No statistically significant association was observed between gender and depression (χ² = 2.025, p = 0.155).

 

Table 06: Depression x Anxiety

B. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ANXIETY Cross tabulation

A statistically significant association was found between domestic violence and anxiety

(χ² = 5.992, p = 0.014).

 

ANXIETY

Total

NEVER

RARELY

DOMESTIC

VIOLENCE

YES

Count

0

26

26

Expected Count

3.8

22.2

26.0

% within Domestic Violence

0.0%

100.0%

100.0%

% within Anxiety

0.0%

31.3%

26.8%

NO

Count

14

57

71

Expected Count

10.2

60.8

71.0

% within Domestic Violence

19.7%

80.3%

100.0%

% within Anxiety

100.0%

68.7%

73.2%

Total

Count

14

83

97

Expected Count

14.0

83.0

97.0

% within Domestic Violence

14.4%

85.6%

100.0%

% within Anxiety

100.0%

100.0%

100.0%

 

Chi-Square Tests

 

Value

df

Asymptotic Significance (2-sided)

Exact Sig. (2-sided)

Exact Sig. (1-sided)

Pearson Chi-Square

5.992a

1

.014

 

 

Continuity Correction

4.501

1

.034

 

 

Likelihood Ratio

9.574

1

.002

 

 

Fisher's Exact Test

 

 

 

.018

.009

Linear-by-Linear Association

5.930

1

.015

 

 

N of Valid Cases

97

 

 

 

 

A Chi-square test was conducted to examine the association between domestic violence and anxiety. The results indicated a statistically significant association between domestic violence and anxiety, χ² (1, N = 97) = 5.992, p = 0.014. This suggests that anxiety levels were significantly related to experiences of domestic violence among the participants.

 

Graphical Analysis of Study Variables

Figure 03: Gender wise distribution among participants:

 The graph shows that female participants (n = 61, 62.9%) were more common than male participants (n = 36, 37.1%) in the study

Figure 04: Type of Abuse Among Participants

The graph indicates that physical contact abuse was the most frequently reported type of abuse (n = 88, 90.7%), followed by non-contact abuse (n = 6, 6.2%). Verbal sexual abuse (n = 1, 1.0%) and online sexual exploitation (n = 2, 2.1%) were the least reported forms of abuse

Type of Abuse and Flashbacks

The graph shows that participants with physical contact abuse reported the highest frequency of flashbacks (n = 74). However, no statistically significant association was found between type of abuse and flashback experiences (χ² = 1.850, p = 0.604).

Figure:05 Reporting to Authorities

The graph shows that most participants reported the incident to authorities (n = 90, 92.8%), whereas only 7 participants (7.2%) did not report the incident

Figure 06: Domestic Violence Among Participants

 

The graph demonstrates that 26 participants (26.8%) experienced domestic violence, while 71 participants (73.2%) reported no experience of domestic violence.

 

Domestic violence and Anxiety

Most participants without domestic violence reported never experiencing anxiety (57%), while 14% reported anxiety rarely, and 26% of those experiencing domestic violence reported never feeling anxiety.

Figure 07: Gender and Depression

The graph illustrates that rare depression was reported more frequently among females (n = 50) than males (n = 25). However, the association between gender and depression was not statistically significant (χ² = 2.025, p = 0.155).

Figure 08: Domestic Violence and Anxiety

The graph demonstrates that all participants who experienced domestic violence (n = 26) reported anxiety. A statistically significant association was observed between domestic violence and anxiety (χ² = 5.992, p = 0.014).

Figure 09: Family Type and Social Withdrawal

The graph indicates that social withdrawal was reported among participants from nuclear (n = 19), joint (n = 43), and extended families (n = 8). However, no statistically significant association was found between family type and social withdrawal (χ² = 0.020, p = 0.990).

Figure 10: Frequency of Depression Among Participants

The graph shows that rare depression was reported by the majority of participants (n = 75, 77.3%), whereas 22 participants (22.7%) reported never experiencing depression.

 

DISCUSSION

Among those studied, female participants made up roughly sixty-five percent. Nearly every person involved experienced some kind of physical violation during the incident. Earlier reports have also pointed to higher exposure among women and young girls. One out of three victims knew their attacker personally. Data came from interviews with ninety-seven people exposed to such trauma. Results highlight patterns seen before in similar work on this topic. A large share of those affected described facing intimidation while being attacked. Though often overlooked, emotional and community-level effects weighed heavily on survivors. Many noted withdrawal from others, difficulty relying on people, trouble focusing at school. Earlier research looked into how frequently abuse occurred across age groups, both young and adult populations. Females showed far greater occurrence rates when past sexual abuse was considered - almost double those seen in males, according to one analysis. As years passed, so did the likelihood of victimization climb: young kids made up less than a third, teens about one-sixth, while more than half were full-grown adults. Overwhelmingly, women filled the records - nearly 210 out of every 224 cases - while men accounted for only fifteen. Fear often lingered long afterward, shaping emotional responses well beyond the initial trauma. Many carried visible marks - not bruises, but restless sleep, constant unease, distraction in classrooms. Some risks stood out clearly; others shifted depending on context or location. Youth, gender, and city living seemed tied closely to increased exposure during early life stages. Betrayal cut deep. So did helplessness. These sensations fed isolation, worsened mood disorders, disrupted relationships. What happened back then didn’t fade - it shaped daily functioning, colored perceptions, altered paths forward. Data pulled from fewer than 100 people spotlighted patterns across background traits, dangers faced, and lasting internal struggles. Though both genders appeared in the sample, most affected were girls and women - they formed close to seventy percent of the participants studied. Surprisingly, this result lines up with earlier research pointing to women and girls facing the highest risk of sexual violence. Notably, physical contact emerged as the leading type of abuse - over ninety percent of those involved experienced it. While some faced non-physical forms, many also described being threatened at the time. Emotional strain and community effects stood out in the data collected. Though every person responded differently, isolation, difficulty relying on others, and struggles in school appeared frequently among them. Though earlier research explored patterns of sexual abuse across age groups, differences emerged between genders. Females showed far greater incidence rates - nearly 44 percent - compared to males at just over 18 percent [16]. As years increased, so did reported cases: one-quarter of child victims, roughly 17 percent among teens, yet more than half when it came to adults. Female survivors accounted for most adult reports - over two hundred instances - while men made up fewer than twenty [17]. Emotional fallout often included persistent dread, sometimes labeled as anxiety following assault. Many affected people struggled with sleep disruptions, constant unease, poor school outcomes, and lasting emotional strain [18]. Risk links varied slightly; findings pointed toward certain trends but lacked full consistency. Youth, especially girls living in urban zones, seemed more exposed during early development stages [19]. Betrayal, helplessness, shame - these weighed heavily, deepening distress and weakening relationships over time. [20] For many women, abuse in youth shaped long-term well-being, touching nearly every aspect of daily existence into later life [21]. Limitation This work comes with limits worth noting while reviewing its outcomes. Conducted only at one advanced medical center - Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad - the findings might not apply well to other parts of Pakistan or unlike clinical environments. With just 97 participants, the group under observation stays narrow, possibly weakening the strength of conclusions drawn about relationships among factors. Information collected all at once, through a snapshot-style design, forms another condition shaping what can be claimed. Because of this, it is not possible to confirm cause-and-effect links between risk variables and psychosocial results. Moving beyond methodology, parts of the dataset came from personal accounts along with medical-legal files - sources that could carry distortions due to memory lapses, unreported incidents, or gaps in records, especially considering how delicate sexual assault matters tend to be amid societal judgment. Instead of widely accepted diagnostic procedures, structured surveys guided the evaluation of emotional well-being, possibly limiting accuracy. Despite such constraints, meaningful observations emerged about who tends to be involved, what circumstances appear common, and how people are emotionally impacted locally, opening paths for later investigations on similar topics.

CONCLUSION

Oddly enough, sexual assault emerges not just as a health issue but also as a social one, hitting certain populations harder. Those at greater risk include unmarried young females, whose vulnerability exceeds that of similar age groups. A pattern forms where lack of marital status ties to increased exposure, setting some apart from their counterparts. Instead of being isolated events, many assaults involve physical touching along with intimidation - often following earlier episodes at home. These experiences leave deep marks - not just emotional but visible in daily functioning. Mental strain shows up clearly through fear, sadness, withdrawal, suspicion toward others, and struggles in school settings. When examined closely, patterns reveal how past household harm intensifies current distress, particularly around anxious feelings. Together, these elements interact, influencing lasting health outcomes over time. At first glance, unnoticed, certain trends appear once attention turns to impacted groups and the role of the environment in exposure to sexual harm. Because trauma lingers long after the event, responses must include timely care shaped by both medical insight and human understanding. Notably absent in many regions - especially across parts of Pakistan - is open acknowledgment, which delays help reaching those harmed. When systems fail to listen, silence grows; yet better training, clearer paths to report harm, and consistent access to counselors can slowly shift this pattern. Seen another way, every survivor's experience adds depth to what researchers know about healing and prevention locally. What stands out is not just frequency but how culture shapes response - or lack thereof - and why change begins with visibility.

 

Recommendation

  1. Starting conversations early helps reach more people. Schools might host discussions during health classes instead of lectures. Colleges could support student-led events throughout the year. Community centers may offer open workshops on weekends. Prevention grows stronger when information spreads through different places at once.
  2. Those who survive sexual assault deserve straightforward pathways to therapy. Mental health care must be within reach. Support becomes possible when help is available without delay. When someone seeks assistance, options ought to exist clearly and close at hand. Healing often follows once conversation begins with a trained listener. Access matters most during fragile moments after trauma. A system that responds quickly can make space for recovery. Without barriers, people move toward stability more freely.
  3. Better support for victims could come when medical and legal processes improve. Fear might fade as systems grow stronger. Reporting becomes easier once trust builds into procedures. Stigma often lessens under clearer frameworks. Confidence rises where responses feel fair. Help tends to follow when pathways work smoothly.
  4. One way to strengthen findings might be testing across multiple clinics with broader participant groups. Expanding data collection could help reflect more diverse patient experiences naturally. A wider reach often allows patterns to emerge without forcing conclusions. Including varied settings tends to reveal how consistent outcomes really are.
  5. Government and health agencies must shape strategies to stop sexual violence while supporting recovery for those affected. Though collaboration matters, planning often begins quietly within administrative offices. When responses include both prevention and care, outcomes shift in subtle but meaningful ways. Because systems influence behavior, structured efforts tend to outperform isolated actions. Over time, consistent policies help reduce harm - especially when built with input from impacted communities.

Acknowledgments

Gratitude goes to the Medico-Legal Section at Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad - without their steady collaboration, progress might have stalled. Each participant involved brought something essential; their involvement shaped what follows.

 

Conflict of Interest

One detail worth noting: no competing interests influenced how this work was shared. Publication unfolded without personal stakes clouding judgment.

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