International Journal of Health Sciences & Research (www.ijhsr.org) 342 Vol.6; Issue: 2; February 2016 International Journal of Health Sciences and Research www.ijhsr.org ISSN: 2249-9571 Original Research Article A Retrospective Study of Sexual Assaults in Southern Range of Himachal Pradesh Neelam Kaushik 1* , Surender Kumar Pal 2** , Arun Sharma 3*** , Gian Chand Thakur 2* 1 Scientific Officer, 2 Assistant Director, 3 Director, * Biology & Serology Division, State of Forensic Science Laboratory, Junga, Himachal Pradesh, India. ** Biology & Serology Division, Regional Forensic Science Laboratory, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India. *** State of Forensic Science Laboratory, Junga, Himachal Pradesh, India. Corresponding Author: Surender Kumar Pal Received: 06/01/2016 Revised: 20/01/2016 Accepted: 22/01/2016 ABSTRACT Context: Sexual violence against women is considered as one of the most common crime all over the world which violates our cultural and religious values. With ever increasing population, degradation of socio-cultural and moral value, such incidences are increasing day by day. The present study was undertaken with objectives to reveal the different aspects of sexual assault in four districts of Himachal Pradesh. Aims: To study the trend of sexual violence in four districts of Himachal Pradesh and to analyze the data with respect to socio-demographic characteristics, relationship between accused and victim, medico-legal examination and evaluate the role of forensic examination in dealing with sexual assault cases. Settings and design: Retrospective study. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted on 414 cases of sexual assault received for examination at State Forensic Science Laboratory, Southern Range, Junga, Himachal Pradesh during the year 2010-2014. The details pertaining to socio-demographic factors such as age, sex, religion, marital status, profession, place of incidence, relationship with accused, time interval between last incidence and medico-legal examination and results of different exhibits submitted for forensic examination were entered on a self designed performa. Results: This study revealed that incidences of sexual assault were maximum in Shimla district followed by Solan, Sirmour and Kinnaur district. The cases of female sexual assault (95.89%) outnumbered the male sexual assault (2.66%) and bestiality (1.45%). The most commonly sexual assault crimes were reported in monsoon or rainy season (30.68%) followed by winter (29.47%), summer (25.85%) and autumn (14.00%). The common site of offence was the house of accused (33.33%). This study revealed that most vulnerable age group was 14-17 years. 41.06%of the alleged sexual assault victims were students. Most commonly sexual crimes were performed by the person familiar to the victim (86.76%). 91.06%victims were Hindus followed by Muslims (7.72%), Sikhs (0.96%) and Christians (0.24%).80.91% victims were unmarried and16.18% married. Maximum numbers of victims were medico-legally examined second day (27.05%) of the assault. 1.48% female victims were murdered after sexual assault and 0.99% committed suicide. 6.45% female victims got pregnant. Invalid consensual rape was found in 59.80% cases followed by forcible rape in 23.77% and consensual rape in 14.46% cases. Hymen was found intact in 10.42% female victims and torn/ruptured with old tear in 60.79%. Recent tear was noticed in 7.44% female victims. Spermatozoa were detected in 23.42% cases on vaginal swabs/vaginal smear slides. Conclusion: The study may help to enhance public awareness to eliminate the sexual violence from the society and implement strategies to make the society a safe place for females.