NCJ Number
58151
Date Published
1978
Length
11 pages
Annotation
GUIDELINES AND DIRECTIONS ARE PRESENTED FOR USE BY SOCIAL WORKERS, POLICE, AND MEDICAL PERSONNEL IN EXAMINING AND TREATING SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN.
Abstract
PART OF THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIF., PROTOCOL FOR THE TREATMENT OF RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT VICTIMS, THIS GUIDE SHOULD BE USED IN CONJUNCTION WITH GUIDELINES OUTLINED FOR TREATING ADULT VICTIMS. THE SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN BY ADULTS INCLUDES INDECENT EXPOSURE, MOLESTATION, CARNAL ABUSE, SODOMY, INCEST, AND RAPE. THE CHILD IS BROUGHT TO THE HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM WHEN THERE HAS BEEN EITHER OVERT SEXUAL ABUSE RESULTING IN PAIN OR INJURY, OR WHEN SEXUAL ABUSE IS SUSPECTED AND THE EXAMINATION IS NECESSARY TO DETERMINE IF ABUSE OCCURRED. HOWEVER, EVEN WHEN ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ABUSE HAVE BEEN MADE, MAJOR OBSTACLES TO ASSISTING THE SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILD REMAIN. LACK OF RECOGNITION AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE PHENOMENON, FAILURE OR INABILITY TO OBTAIN ADEQUATE MEDICAL CORROBORATION OF THE EVENT, AND RELUCTANCE TO REPORT MAY EXIST. SPECIFIC STEPS IN ASSISTING PARENTS OR GUARDIANS DEAL WITH THE SITUATION ARE OUTLINED, SINCE A PARENT OR CLOSE RELATIVE IS OFTEN INVOLVED IN THE ABUSE. THE LEGAL STEPS REQUIRED TO GAIN CONSENT FOR THE CHILD'S TREATMENT ARE OUTLINED, AND THE INFORMATION MOST IMPORTANT TO WRITING THE REPORT, OBTAINING THE HISTORY OF THE INCIDENT, AND PERFORMING THE PHYSICAL EXAMINATION IS LISTED. PSYCHOLOGICAL FOLLOWUP COUNSELING IS RECOMMENDED FOR VICTIMS. FOOTNOTES AND A LIST OF DIRECT SOURCES ARE INCLUDED. FOR A RELATED DOCUMENT, SEE NCJ-58150. (PRG)