Sexual Abuse Evaluation

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Sexual Abuse Eval - First Alerts

  • Definition: Any sexual act with a child without informed consent or capacity to consent due to age or developmental stage.
  • Initial Red Flags:
    • Sudden, unexplained behavioral changes:
      • Anxiety, depression, fear, aggression, withdrawal.
      • Sleep/appetite disturbances, enuresis/encopresis (new onset).
      • School problems (e.g., ↓ performance, absenteeism).
    • Age-inappropriate sexual knowledge or behavior.
    • Recurrent genital/anal pain, itching, discharge, or bleeding.
    • Urinary tract infections (UTIs), sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in prepubertal children.
    • Child's disclosure (direct, indirect, or through play/drawings).

Developmental Sexual Behavior Tool

⭐ Most perpetrators are known to the child, often a family member or a person in a position of trust (e.g., teacher, coach).

Sexual Abuse Eval - Eliciting Truth

  • Goal: Obtain child's account accurately, minimize distress.
  • Interviewer: Specially trained, empathetic, patient.
  • Setting: Private, child-friendly, non-intimidating.
  • Key Principles:
    • Build rapport before discussing abuse.
    • Use simple, age-appropriate language.
    • One-time interview if possible to avoid re-traumatization.
    • 📌 N.I.C.E. approach: Non-leading questions, Individualized pace, Child's own words, Empathetic listening.
    • Truth-Lie ceremony (younger children) to assess understanding of truth.
    • Anatomical dolls/drawings: for demonstration by child, not direct questioning by interviewer; expert use only.

⭐ Use open-ended, non-leading questions (e.g., "Tell me more about that") to avoid implanting false memories and ensure the child's account is genuine.

Sexual Abuse Eval - Clinical Clues

  • General Physical Findings (Non-specific but concerning):
    • Bruises, welts, burns in various stages of healing, especially in unusual patterns or locations (e.g., torso, ears, neck).
    • Human bite marks.
    • Unexplained fractures, especially multiple or in non-ambulatory child.
    • Failure to thrive, poor hygiene (neglect indicators).
  • Anogenital Findings (More specific):
    • Genital/anal trauma: bruising, abrasions, lacerations, scars.
    • Hymenal changes: transections (especially posterior), tears, notches, absent hymen (if prepubertal).
      • Normal prepubertal hymenal opening: <4-5 mm (variable).
    • Anal findings: fissures (especially multiple/chronic, >6 o'clock), skin tags, bruising, gaping.
    • Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) in prepubertal child (e.g., gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, HIV).
    • Recurrent UTIs, vaginal discharge, bleeding. Normal hymen and hymen variants
  • Behavioral Clues:
    • Sudden changes in behavior: aggression, withdrawal, anxiety, depression.
    • Sexually inappropriate behavior or knowledge for age.
    • Sleep disturbances, nightmares.
    • School problems, running away.

⭐ Most children (~50%) with confirmed sexual abuse have normal genital exams during a single evaluation; findings may heal or be subtle. Repeated exams or specialized colposcopy may be needed if suspicion is high based on disclosure or other signs.

Sexual Abuse Eval - Proof & Protection

  • Core Aims: Ensure child's safety, meticulous evidence collection, holistic care.
  • Documentation: Precise, objective, verbatim quotes. Standardized forms. Photos with consent.
  • Investigations:
    • STIs: GC/Chlamydia (baseline, 2 wks); Syphilis, HIV, Hep B (baseline, 6 wks, 3 mo, 6 mo).
    • Pregnancy test (if pubertal).
    • Forensic evidence: Use designated kits.
  • Management Steps:
  • Prophylaxis:
    • STIs (e.g., Ceftriaxone, Azithromycin).
    • Emergency Contraception (ECP): Within 72-120 hrs.
    • Hep B vaccine ± HBIG.
    • HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP): Start within 72 hrs.
  • Legal Duty:

    ⭐ Mandatory reporting: POCSO Act, 2012 (India). Protects children.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Forensic examination ideally within 72 hours for optimal evidence collection.
  • SANE nurse or specifically trained physician should conduct the examination.
  • Colposcopy can be valuable for detailed visualization of genital injuries.
  • Normal anogenital findings do NOT exclude sexual abuse; history is key.
  • Key findings: posterior fourchette tears, hymenal transections/notches, acute anal fissures.
  • Comprehensive STI screening (GC, Chlamydia, HIV, Syphilis, HBV) is crucial post-assault.
  • Immediate psychological support and mandatory legal reporting (e.g., POCSO Act) are essential.

Practice Questions: Sexual Abuse Evaluation

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Flashcards: Sexual Abuse Evaluation

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A child who has been physically abused should undergo a _____ at first.

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A child who has been physically abused should undergo a _____ at first.

thorough physical examination

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