Sexually abused boys: awareness, assessment, and intervention

The prevalence and consequences of the sexual victimization of young boys is tragically underestimated. The author provides data on the incidence of sexual abuse in boys and girls, ages 3-10, in an inpatient psychiatric children's unit. A retrospective chart review is presented including variables of coexisting maltreatment and symptomatology. Commonly found nursing diagnoses are identified with appropriate nursing interventions. Assessing a sexually abused boy, developing a comprehensive nursing care plan, and intervening effectively in assisting a child to assimilate and cope with his abuse experience are discussed in depth.