NCJ Number
128868
Date Published
1990
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This chapter describes the role of the physician examiner in child sexual abuse evaluations for boys.
Abstract
A skilled physician examiner should collect and preserve a detailed history of the sexual abuse as reported by the victim and conduct a physical examination that includes inspection of the victim's body for signs and symptoms of the sexual abuse and laboratory tests that are appropriate to the circumstances of the case. Physical and laboratory findings, or the lack thereof, should be correlated with the history provided by the victim. Medical treatment should be provided as needed. So as to relieve unnecessary victim fears and misconceptions, the physician should discuss with the victim issues pertaining to AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases, and homosexuality. This chapter includes a review of relevant literature and a discussion of the implications of McCann and associates' report of anal findings in a normal population (McCann et al. 1989). These findings facilitate a more accurate determination of whether given physical findings are specific to sexual abuse. The chapter also includes a detailed discussion of a protocol for the medical evaluation as well as a discussion of which laboratory tests and procedures are appropriate for particular presenting circumstances. 14 references