Emergency medical care must be provided in a case of CSA. Police or magisterial requisition is not required for that purpose. The management of CSA includes the following:
- Treatment of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is carried out with appropriate medications.
- In post-menarcheal girls, the likelihood of pregnancy and the need for emergency contraception is considered.
- Emotional support is provided.
- CSA, whether confirmed or strongly suspected, must be reported to the appropriate authorities.
- Detailed, well-documented medical records must be kept, since these are crucial in legal proceedings, which may take place after a lapse of long periods.
- Referral to a mental health specialist should be made in all cases, which is required for evaluation and treatment of acute stress reaction, and subsequently posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Referral to other specialists should be made as required.
Proper collection of material, depending upon the history of sexual violence, is of utmost importance for medicolegal purposes. Such assault can be peno-vaginal, peno-anal, peno-oral, masturbation and use objects for penetration. Thus the material can be semen, faecal matter, lubricant, saliva and hairs. Detailed instructions about collecting forensic evidence are provided by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. The material should be properly packed, sealed, labelled and sent to the police.The Ministry of Women & Child Development, Govt. of India is establishing One Stop Centres (OSC) to provide support and assistance to survivors of gender violence . Thus, comprehensive services, including medical, police, psychosocial counselling, legal aid, shelter, referral and facilities for video-conferencing are provided ‘under one roof’. For those below 18 years, these are undertaken in coordination with authorities under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2011 and the POCSO Act, 2012. The scheme is centrally sponsored with 100% financial assistance.