Medical Evaluation of Child Sexual Abuse: Why Can't We Be More Like CSI?

A child abuse pediatrician will present an overview of the medical evaluation for suspected sexual abuse.

Examples of the different roles between physician and nurse providers will be outlined stressing the necessity of specialized training regardless of degree and the importance of participating in ongoing education and case review for quality assurance.

Salient features of how the exam is performed, findings interpreted, and when/how collection of DNA/laboratory specimens are collected.

Specific attention will be paid to why most children who have been sexually abused will have "normal" exams and why that typically does not discount or rule out a child's disclosure of sexual assault/abuse.

Content will be appropriate for both medical and non-medical child abuse professionals.