The medical evaluation of children with suspected sexual abuse includes more than just the physical examination of the child. The importance of taking a detailed medical history from the parents and a history from the child about physical sensations following sexual contact has been emphasized in other articles in the medical literature. The…

This paper addresses parents' reactions to sexual abuse cases in their families. The study analyzed the clinical records of individual and family therapy sessions with 35 cases of Arab Palestinian clients, citizens of Israel (27 individuals and 8 families). Families were categorized as either functional or dysfunctional. It was concluded that the…

A key portion of the medical evaluation of child sexual abuse is the medical history. This differs from interviews or histories obtained by other professionals in that it is focuses more on the health and well-being of the child. Careful questions should be asked about all aspects of the child's medical history by a skilled, compassionate,…

The most available form of evidence in child sexual abuse cases is what the child has to say about his or her alleged experience. The most difficult skill for clinicians to develop is the "how tos" of talking to children in a developmentally appropriate, nonjudgmental, facilitative, and empathetic manner. This manuscript provides insight into…

This study examined the role of medical clowns during medical examinations of children who were sexually abused. Three case studies are described, illustrating diverse interactions among the victimized child, the medical clown, and the medical forensical examiner during medical forensic examinations held at the Tene Center for Sexually Abused…

In the emerging literature, cases involving recurring, unsubstantiated allegations of child sexual abuse have generally been categorized as Munchausen by proxy. Recent scholars have recommended restricting the label to the original conceptualization, involving purposeful deception motivated by psychological needs for medical attention. This leaves…

Sixty-eight parents of children with alleged child sexual abuse (CSA) were surveyed 4 months after visiting an interdisciplinary CSA evaluation clinic in order to examine the extent to which recommendations were recalled and implemented. Results reveal that 9% of parents recalled recommendations for medical follow-up, 79% recalled recommendations…

Summarizes the results of an international conference held in Sweden. The group's mandate was to evaluate existing knowledge regarding the ways in which child sexual abuse allegations could be investigated most productively. This document represents a statement summarizing areas of agreement regarding the current status of knowledge in this area.…

Examined the frequency of children's disclosure of sexual abuse and factors that might influence disclosure. Results, based on 179 children's reports, indicate a 47% disclosure rate. The child's age, siblings in the home, perpetrator other than a biological parent, alleged oral-genital contact or penetration, previous disclosure, and physician…

Three medical examiners involved in the Little Rascals Day Care Center (Edenton, NC) child sexual abuse case discuss their experiences. They were surprised to find themselves in an adversarial position against their peers, and the fact that medical evidence of child sexual abuse is controversial created difficulties that could not be solved in a…

The Child Protection Service's philosophy is to be child oriented, treating the child as a person and not an object from which evidence is extracted. The role of the medical examination, significant in overall assessment of allegations of child abuse and neglect, should be one of integration with those providing the psychosocial assessment. Clear…

A free videotape subscription series was utilized to increase the knowledge of general physicians in clinical practice about the medical evaluation of sexually abused children. Of the 65 physicians who requested the first tape, 39 (60%) completed it. Fourteen of the 39 physicians who completed the first tape (36%) completed the 5-tape series.…