Rape is a traumatic experience with considerable physical and psychological consequences. Despite its clinical relevance, it remains rarely studied, particularly in women receiving psychiatric care.

To estimate the prevalence of rape before age 18 and to examine its sociodemographic and clinical correlates among women receiving psychiatric care.

A descriptive, analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among female patients followed in the psychiatry department of Mohammed VI University Hospital, Oujda, Morocco, over a period of two years and eight months (August 2019–March 2022).

A total of 400 patients with a psychiatric disorder were recruited. The prevalence of rape before age 18 was 8.0%. The onset of psychiatric illness was statistically earlier in patients who had been raped before age 18 ( $p=0.007$ ). Rape before age 18 was significantly associated with prior psychiatric hospitalization and psychoactive substance use. Suicide attempts were significantly more frequent among rape victims ( $p=0.003$ ; OR = 3.19 [95% CI: 1.53–6.65]). Urban residence showed a significant bivariate association with reported rape before age 18. Findings regarding socioeconomic status should be interpreted cautiously because of very small cell sizes. A history of childhood maltreatment was significantly correlated with rape ( $p=0.011$ ).

The findings suggest that reported rape before age 18 is associated with several markers of clinical severity among women receiving psychiatric care, including earlier reported onset of psychiatric illness, prior hospitalization, and psychoactive substance use. Suicide attempts were also significantly associated with a history of rape before age 18. These results should be interpreted cautiously due to the retrospective cross-sectional design, the small number of exposed participants, and the absence of multivariable adjustment. Nevertheless, the study highlights the importance of systematic, confidential, and trauma-informed screening for childhood sexual violence in psychiatric settings.