RE: sexual abuse and medical exams

["Hess, Thomas" <89A794@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

A few years ago the New York State Department of Health and the Office of
Children and Family Services collaborated on a set of protocols called "The
Child and Adolescent Sexual Offense Medical Protocol".  It is presently
being updated.  You could contact the NYS Child Advocacy Resource and
Consultation Center at http://www.nyscarcc.org for more information.

-----Original Message-----
From: Michelle Kessler [mailto:kessler1@xxxxxxxx]
Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2000 11:06 PM
To: Child Maltreatment Researchers
Subject: sexual abuse and medical exams


I am looking for any literature that discusses when it is appropriate to
seek a medical exam for a child who allegedly has been sexually abused.
Some example questions I am looking to answer are:  Should every child
(alleging sexual abuse) be medically examined?  If not, what are the
indicators that an exam should be done?  And, in light of the fact that
physical symptoms of abuse disappear, is there a period of time after which
it is not beneficial to do a medical exam?

Any literature relating to these questions, as well as your own input on
the topic would be helpful.

Thank you,
Michelle Kessler
kessler1@xxxxxxxx