Forensic medical evaluation of children who present with suspected sexual abuse: how do we know what we know?
[7-1100] Article
G Wong, “Forensic medical evaluation of children who present with suspected sexual abuse: how do we know what we know?” (2019) 55(12) Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health 1492.
Abstract
Many children’s genital findings which were seen as diagnostic of sexual abuse in the past are now understood to be normal variants, the result of other medical conditions, or insufficiently specific to support a definite diagnose of abuse. This review article provides updates on medical evidence gathered from child sexual abuse complainants, the current understanding of how to interpret genital findings in children and remaining gaps in knowledge.