Erectile dysfunction as a defence in sexual abuse: Highlighting medico-legal issues in a case review

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a complex condition that has significant medico-legal implications, particularly when presented as a defence in cases of sexual abuse. This report discusses a case involving a 52-year-old male labourer accused of sexually abusing his 12-year-old daughter in 2019. The examinee claimed that burn injuries sustained in 2008, following a seizure, resulted in ED, rendering him incapable of committing the alleged act. Examination revealed scarring on the anterior chest, abdomen, thighs, and genital region, although the penile tissue was minimally affected. Multidisciplinary assessments, including a papaverine test, urological, neurological, and psychiatric evaluations, were inconclusive in confirming or refuting the claims. The findings underscore the challenges in correlating ED to allegations of sexual incapacity during the specific period. This case highlights the complexities of evaluating ED in a legal context, emphasizing the interplay of organic and inorganic factors. It underscores the need for comprehensive clinical and investigative evaluations to aid in the diagnosis or exclusion of ED, which contributes to arriving at medico-legal conclusions in such contexts.