Do physicians recognize sexual abuse?
S. Ladson, C. F. Johnson and R. E. Doty
The dramatic increase in the incidence of reports of sexual abuse has
placed demands on physicians to assess children for possible sexual abuse.
We conducted a survey of urban pediatricians to determine their knowledge
of and attitudes about sexual abuse. These physicians were found to have
limited knowledge about the social and medical aspects of sexual abuse. The
lack of knowledge these physicians display about prepubescent female
anatomy and about the association of venereal diseases with sexual abuse
decreases their recognition and reporting of sexual abuse. There is a need
for physicians to improve their knowledge and skills in the diagnosis of
sexual abuse if further abuse and its serious consequences are to be
minimized.
