ABSTRACT
The medical evaluation o f the sexually abused child should be viewed from the perspective that it is an essential yet relatively minor part o f the overall management o f sexual abuse. All children being evaluated for suspected sexual abuse should have a medical examination, although most examinations will not detect abnormal physical findings or provide positive forensic medical evidence that sexual contact has occurred. The medical evaluation should be a routine part o f the overall evaluation for several reasons. First, an appropriate history and physical examination can serve as documentation and validation o f the child’s complaint of abuse. Depending on the history, both normal and abnormal physical findings, infections, or injuries can be used to support the child’s allega tions o f abuse. Secondly, the examination should help guide medical therapy when injuries or infections are present. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the child may be reassured following most examina tions o f physical normality. We should not underestimate the therapeu tic value o f telling children they are not diseased, damaged, or physically different from other children.
