Sexual Abuse Evaluation

On this page

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.
Rezzy AI Tutor

Have doubts about this lesson?

Ask Rezzy, our AI tutor, to explain anything you didn't understand

Practice Questions: Sexual Abuse Evaluation

Test your understanding with these related questions

Most appropriate sample for diagnosing congenital CMV infection in a neonate?

1 of 5

Flashcards: Sexual Abuse Evaluation

1/4

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

TAP TO REVEAL ANSWER

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

thorough physical examination

browseSpaceflip

Enjoying this lesson?

Get full access to all lessons, practice questions, and more.

Start For Free