Medical evidence is rare in child sexual abuse

[radicalgratitude]

Since it often happens without any witnesses present, sexual abuse is incredibly difficult to prove. Medical tests are used to look for evidence of sexual abuse in children. In an ideal world, these invasive procedures would confirm what the children know to be true. However research has indicated that these tests have consistently failed to provide the evidence needed.

In child sexual abuse, there is typically very little physical force involved. Instead, children may be coaxed or manipulated into participating in the activity. The abuser may know ways to abuse a child without leaving physical damage. The abuser may work to stimulate the sexual organs before penetration. In other words, the child often has feelings of arousal, leading to natural lubrication, which makes intercourse less painful. As a side note, this is a normal physiological response. Being aroused does not mean that the victim enjoyed it.

Even if the sexual abuse did injure the child, rapid healing takes place in the areas of the body that are typically affected by sexual abuse. The child’s genitals may heal completely. Even the hymen may restore and appear as if it was never ruptured to begin with. When there is a delayed disclosure, it is even more unlikely the signs of injury will be present during the examination.

Furthermore, an article titled Child Sexual Abuse Overall Assessment that was published in Sexual Abuse in Prepubertal Children and Adolescents cautions the following: “Although we are constantly learning more about the role and significance of medical aspects in suspected sexual abuse cases, the diagnosis ‘child sexual abuse’ primarily rests on the professionally and qualified obtained descriptive statements made by an abused child.” His assessment is congruent with a seven year study that was published in J Paediatr Child Health that concludes that physical symptoms have “no predictive value in the diagnosis of sexual abuse.” Since traditional medical tests fail to consistently confirm sexual abuse of minors, it is imprudent to rely on them.

 

[hodge]

My 5 year-old stepdaughter had recurrent yeast infections which I only found out about from her mother after I walked in one day to see my first husband molesting her. Five year olds do NOT get yeast infections. I figured out she got them from me to him to her, because in those days I had a lot of problems with those. Absolutely horrifying. But even after her mother told me that, she still did not press charges against the father, my ex-husband and her ex-husband. I reported it to Child Protective Services. There was nothing else I could do. The poor little girl would not say anything against her father, so he got away with it. Bastard. Oh, and when I was interviewed? It was like I was imagining things because I had also been abused. Damn psychiatrist. No such luck. I wish I had been imagining things. But I know what I saw. And I will never forget the look on his face when he saw that I saw.

 

[estateaway]

I’m so sorry that all happened hodge,

I also had reoccurring yeast infections after I was assaulted by my stepfather (when I was 12). Hang in there, My body’s still harbouring a lot of that trauma too from previous assaults. I’m trying to combat it by doing yoga in my pelvic region (doing pigeon pose (Eka Pada Rajakapotasana), and (Parivrivritta Janu Sirsasana) or Revolved head to knee pose, and made a tea blend of calendula and jasmine green tea that’s been helping me ever since. Hopefully this helps if one, or both of you out if you’re still (or are) experiencing physical symptoms.