Does it matter what I was wearing? Reflections on sexual violence from a medical-forensic perspective

Abstract

Justification: Sexual violence is a devastating phenomenon with profound repercussions on health, social well-being and the justice system. Beyond its physical and psychological effects on victims, it poses considerable challenges for forensic medicine professionals, who play a crucial role in collecting evidence and seeking justice.
Objective: This paper explores the impact of sexual violence from a forensic perspective, highlighting the importance of initiatives such as the exhibition “Does it matter what I was wearing?”, which seeks to raise awareness and demystify prejudices surrounding victims.
Conclusion: The question “what were you wearing?” is a tactic that blames victims of sexual violence and should not be asked.
Initiatives such as the one mentioned above are examples of initiatives that seek to challenge this question.