Adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse as patients: two case studies

Adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse comprise a high percentage of the patients seen in gastrointestinal and genitourinary clinics and are commonly found among the patient population treated by WOC nurses. The physical and emotional consequences of sexual abuse may permeate the survivor's life, but rise to the forefront only with the additional stress of an ostomy or urinary diversion. Two case studies are described involving women the authors encountered in their practices.