Child sexual abuse: the emergency department response

Each child who presents with a suspicion of sexual abuse must have immediate access to a complete medical evaluation performed by a competent and knowledgeable examiner. This evaluation should include, at a minimum, a history, a complete physical examination with a detailed genital examination, treatment of identified medical problems, and collection of evidence. It is not appropriate to perform a cursory examination simply because there was a time delay between the abuse and the examination or because the history is suspect. Each sexual abuse workup must be medically and forensically complete. In addition, each child presenting with suggestive complaints should have sexual abuse strongly considered in the differential diagnosis. A report to the appropriate social and legal agencies is indicated even if the suspicion cannot be confirmed. If sexually abused children are to be examined in hospital emergency departments, a protocol should be developed to ensure rapid, thorough, uniform, and caring evaluation. With planning, preparation, and education, most current inadequacies in the emergency medical assessment of sexually abused children can be resolved so that child victims receive sensitive and comprehensive medical care.