A National Protocol for Sexual Abuse Medical Forensic Examinations: Pediatric

Excerpt:  “The National Protocol for Sexual Abuse Medical Forensic Examinations—Pediatric is a guide for: (1) health care providers who conduct sexual abuse medical forensic examinations of prepubescent children; and (2) other professionals and agencies/facilities involved in an initial community response to child sexual abuse, in coordinating with health care providers to facilitate medical forensic care. The main goals of a pediatric sexual abuse medical forensic examination, as described in this protocol, are to: 1) Address the health care needs of prepubescent children who disclose sexual abuse or for whom sexual abuse is suspected; 2) Promote their healing; and 3) gather forensic evidence for potential use within the criminal justice and/or child protection systems.”