Child sexual abuse: recognition and nursing intervention

The nursing role in early identification and intervention in child sexual abuse is a critical one and it embraces all areas of clinical practice. The signs and symptoms may be subtle, the legal responsibilities unclear, and the family dynamics complex. This article provides an overview of the clinical indicators for sexual abuse, family issues, and information about the impact on the child and adolescent victim. Common parental reactions and methods for establishing nursing support of the child and adolescent are presented.