NCJ Number
161328
Journal
Advocate Volume: 18 Issue: 2 Dated: (March 1996) Pages: 25-33
Date Published
1996
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Growing recognition of child sexual abuse has brought special problems in determining whether alleged abuse has in fact occurred, particularly since sexual assault victims may not complain immediately or may have been led to believe they were abused through leading and suggestive questioning.
Abstract
Medical evidence is important in supporting or negating child sexual abuse, but such evidence must be based on the recognition that sexual abuse is an event rather than a diagnosis and that a finding of sexual abuse is a legal conclusion. Medical examinations of many sexual assault victims may be normal, even though victims may have a history of and a physical examination consistent with molestation. Further, medical examinations for child sexual abuse are often done long after the alleged event occurred. The questionable trend to use medical experts to prove child sexual abuse in court and contradictions in research findings on medical examiner claims are noted. The need to recognize the possibility of misdiagnosis in child sexual abuse cases and to ensure unwarranted conclusions are not reached by medical practitioners is emphasized. 69 references, 3 tables, and 11 footnotes