The value of paediatric assessment in historic child sexual abuse. Issue 6 (17th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Al-Jilaihawi, Sarah; Borg, Kevin; Maguire, Sabine; Hodes, Deborah
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 102:Issue 6(2017)
• Page Start: 550
• Page End: 555
• Publication Date: 2017-01-17
• Subjects: historic child sexual abuse -- multiagency -- unmet health needs; Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2016-311989
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Introduction: A perception exists that there are few benefits of a paediatric assessment in historic child sexual abuse (CSA), as the likelihood of finding forensic evidence is low. Aim: To determine the value of a comprehensive paediatric assessment in a dedicated clinic for children and young people who present following suspicion or allegation of historic CSA. Method: All children with suspected or alleged historic CSA, defined as >7 days after the last episode of sexual assault in pubertal girls, or >3 days for prepubertal girls and all boys, were assessed in a specialised paediatric clinic. Clinic data were collected prospectively between October 2009 and November 2014 and through retrospective case note review. Results: Among the 249 children who presented with possible historic CSA, ages ranged from 0 to 17 years (median 7, SD 4.3). Of these children, 141 (57%) had a medical concern(s) related to the referral reason, 78 (31%) had an unrelated medical concern(s) and 55 (22%) had emotional or behavioural concerns requiring onward referral, while 18 (7%) children had physical signs supportive of CSA. Findings referable to social care were identified in 26 cases (10%), the police in 6 cases and 15 (6%) parents required professional help for anxiety symptoms. Conclusions: This study highlights the value of a comprehensive paediatric assessment in a dedicated clinic for cases of suspected or alleged historic CSA, by identifying a broad variety of unmet health needs in this group. The findings have important implications for the child, their families and the multiagency team.