Universität zu Köln

Herrmann, Bernd, Banaschak, Sibylle ORCID: 0000-0002-1413-1250, Csorba, Roland, Navratil, Francesca and Dettmeyer, Reinhard (2014). Physical Examination in Child Sexual Abuse Approaches and Current Evidence. Dtsch. Arztebl. Int., 111 (41). S. 692 - 706. COLOGNE: DEUTSCHER AERZTE-VERLAG GMBH. ISSN 1866-0452

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Abstract

Background: The worldwide prevalence of child sexual abuse is 12-13% (18% of girls, and just under 8% of boys). Many doctors are nevertheless unsure of the proper procedures to follow and the scientific basis of the physical findings that are associated with sexual abuse. This article is focused on the physical findings of abuse, rather than its emotional and psychiatric consequences. Method: This article is based on a selective review of pertinent literature retrieved from various databases, including PubMed and the overall index of the Quarterly Update. Results: The great majority of sexually abused children do not have any abnormal physical findings. The proper determination and documentation of physical findings and their interpretation based on current scientific knowledge are essential for the protection of abused children. Conclusion: Sexually abused children can only receive proper medical care if the involved physicians have the requisite knowledge in the areas of child and adolescent gynecology and forensic medicine, are aware of the limited informative value of the physical findings, and are able to apply the pertinent recommendations, guidelines, and classifications that are currently in effect. Although physical examination is important, the diagnosis of child sexual abuse is generally based on the affected child's statements, which should be obtained according to the proper procedure. All physicians should know that the physical findings are normal in more than 90% of cases and understand why this is so. Physical examination can have the benefit of restoring the child's bodily self-image from a pathological to a normal state by confirming physical normality and integrity.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Herrmann, Bernd UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Banaschak, Sibylle UNSPECIFIED orcid.org/0000-0002-1413-1250 UNSPECIFIED Csorba, Roland UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Navratil, Francesca UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED Dettmeyer, Reinhard UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-425805
DOI:	10.3238/arztebl.2014.0692
Journal or Publication Title:	Dtsch. Arztebl. Int.
Volume:	111
Number:	41
Page Range:	S. 692 - 706
Date:	2014
Publisher:	DEUTSCHER AERZTE-VERLAG GMBH
Place of Publication:	COLOGNE
ISSN:	1866-0452
Language:	English
Faculty:	Unspecified
Divisions:	Unspecified
Subjects:	no entry
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Keywords Language TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS; PREPUBERTAL GIRLS; FORENSIC EVIDENCE; GENITAL INJURIES; MEDICAL EVALUATION; ADOLESCENT GIRLS; VICTIMS; BOYS; EPIDEMIOLOGY; PENETRATION Multiple languages Medicine, General & Internal Multiple languages
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/42580