Medical Response to Child Sexual Abuse

"Professionals working in the field of child sexual abuse have an important task. They should be dedicated to help abused children and their families in the best possible way. This means that talking to children, performing the examination and tests, interpreting findings and results, and providing therapy should be based on best practice and scientific evidence. This text offers an excellent evidence based resource for the complete workup of sexually abused children in a multidisciplinary approach. This book also provides information about abused children with disabilities, child sexual exploitation, prevention, and the court process. Every professional working in this field should be familiar with this textbook. Wouter A. Karst, MD Forensic Physician Netherlands Forensic Institute The Hague, Netherlands A valuable text for medical providers (physicians, forensic nurses, and advance practice providers) whether novice or expert, who provide care to children, adolescents, and their families when there is a suspicion of sexual abuse. Dr. Finkel provides meticulous detail describing elements of the medical history, components of the examination, screening for trauma symptoms, the value of anticipatory guidance on personal space and safety, and the mandate for precise and accurate medical documentation. An updated review is summarized regarding the collection and testing of items with potential evidentiary value with a forward focusing lens. Dr. Kellogg contributes a thorough blueprint on the testing, imaging, treatment, and reporting of STIs in addition to a valued approach to providing care to adolescents with concerns of sexual abuse. Dr. Nazer provides a detailed course on the structures of the genitalia and Dr. Adams provides the most recent information regarding the interpretation of medical findings in suspected child sexual abuse. This book is valuable to all members of the multidisciplinary team providing care, comfort, investigation, guidance, and resolution for children and adolescents affected by child sexual abuse. Sonja Eddleman, MSN, RN, SANE-A, SANE-P Child Abuse Resource and Evaluation (CARE) Team Clinical Coordinator Driscoll Children's Hospital Corpus Christi, Texas Readers across multiple disciplines--including healthcare providers, social workers, child protection teams, legal professionals, and law enforcement--will find this text highly relevant. The necessity of a multidisciplinary team to optimally care for children who have experienced sexual abuse and recommendations for the role of each team member are outlined. All disciplines will find practical applications for the information in chapter 3: ""The Medical Evaluation of a Suspected Child Abuse Victim."" This chapter details key elements to approaching the child victim and family, the specifics of the history and physical exam, and highlights legal aspects of documentation with specific examples provided. Notably, this text ends with a review of the effects of sexual abuse on the genetic/epigenetic level of the brain and highlights the long term psychological and health consequences. For all who care for children and families affected by sexual abuse, I highly recommend this text as an engaging and thorough resource. Kelly C. Dauk, MD Professor of Pediatrics University of Louisville School of Medicine Louisville, Kentucky"