Table of Contents

ABSTRACT

Most children presenting for suspected sexual abuse medical evaluations have completely normal anogenital exams with no evidence of trauma. Only a small proportion of children have diagnostic findings. Therefore, it is essential that medical providers conducting these exams are adequately trained to document these findings and interpret them in relation to the child’s medical history and most recent consensus on interpretation of findings. In addition, children may present with anogenital signs or symptoms leading to a referral for suspected sexual abuse. In these cases, the examiner needs to be able to differentiate conditions that may result from abuse as well as those that may mimic sexual abuse. While the child’s disclosure of sexual abuse and medical history remain the most important piece of evidence in child sexual abuse evaluations, physical findings resulting from sexual abuse, when present, are important to the investigative and legal processes. These findings need to be interpreted correctly as misinterpretation has significant implications for child protection and criminal justice.

Keywords: Sexual abuse, childhood, examination, medical history