Victims of child sexual abuse as a problem in adolescent gynecology

Abstract

A friendly atmosphere, empathy, intimacy and delicacy are needed in gynecological practice for adolescents, especially in examining sexually molested children. Every medical procedure should be precisely adjusted to child;s physical and psychical stage of development and should be specific to the type of reported abuse. A well prepared, established pattern of management with victims for health-care providers is required enabling to take a proper history and perform precise examination in emotionally stigmated children. Much should be done to avoid additional trauma, what is important for further individual therapy, and at the same time to authenticate the abuse. 61 suspected victims of sexual abuse were evaluated in the Adolescent Gynecology Outpatient Clinic in 1993-2005. Despite physical lesions, deep emotional trauma was observed as a main outcome in the follow-up in this group. A long-time, complex care, including medical, psychological and sometimes psychiatric care should be offered to sexually abused children.