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The Role of Photo Documentation of Genital Findings in Medical Evaluations of Suspected Child Sexual Abuse

University of California, San Diego Medical Center

Results of a national survey of 104 nurse practitioners (NPs), registered nurses (RNs), and Physician Assistants (PAs) who conducted physical assessments in cases of suspected child physical abuse, neglect, and sexual abuse revealed that evaluation for suspected CSA was the type of evaluation conducted most often (92.5%), followed by physical abuse (70%), and neglect (54%). Most participants (76.9%) conducting CSA evaluations used a colposcope and interpreted colposcopic findings (70.2%). The mean number of years of speciality practice in CM reported by participants was 6, with a range of one to 20 years. While the majority (68%) of respondents were members of interdisciplinary child protection teams, only 10.7% were members of child fatality review teams.

Although the vast majority (78.4%) of participants had testified in court on CM cases, most reported experiencing barriers to testifying in cases of CM. The barrier to testifying cited most often was a lack of credibility with the judicial system (60%), with 32% of respondents citing not being a physician (31%) as a major barrier in being accepted as an expert in CM.

Implications for practice, policy, and future research are discussed.

Child Maltreatment, Vol. 2, No. 4, 341-347 (1997)
DOI: 10.1177/1077559597002004007


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