Child sexual abuse: a physician's introduction to historical and medical validation

The investigation and validation of an allegation of child sexual abuse is difficult and time-consuming. In sexual abuse cases, the usual indications of physical maltreatment--bruises, abrasions, and lacerations--are generally not present. Thus, to adequately evaluate allegations of sexual abuse, the physician needs a different set of skills. In this paper, I present an introduction to the historical and medical validation of child abuse and provide a clinical approach to the child victim. This article will serve as an introduction to (1) understanding victimization and historical documentation, (2) preparing the child victim for an examination, (3) the forensic medical examination, (4) sexually transmitted diseases in victims and, (5) formulating a conclusion. The selected bibliography supplements this introduction.