Sexual Health | Sexual assault/abuse and medicolegal issues | Clinical Management of Child Sexual Abuse

Clinical Management of Child Sexual Abuse
Session Overview
Description
This session covers the principles of care regarding testing and prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) for victims of child sexual abuse (CSA).

Learning Objectives
By the end of this session you will be able to:

• Demonstrate an awareness of forensic sampling in children
• State when and how to test for STIs, including chain of evidence use
• Describe test limitations and interpretation
• Advise on prophylaxis for STIs, including HIV, for child sexual abuse victims

Prerequisites
Before commencing this session you should complete sessions:

• Module 8/Abuse & Medicolegal Issues/Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) (260-0091)
• Module 8/Abuse & Medicolegal Issues/Consent, Competence and Confidentiality for Under 18s (260-0092)
• Module 8/Abuse & Medicolegal Issues/Indicators of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (260-0093)
• Module 8/Abuse & Medicolegal Issues/Clinical Management of Sexual Assault in Adults and Young People (260-0095)

Many young people enjoy mutually consenting sexual relationships, however they may also be victims of sexual abuse or exploitation.

The 2016 NSPCC report ‘How Safe are our Children’ tells us that there were 38 575 recorded sexual offences against children in 2014/15 with an 80% rise in reported sexual offences against under 18-year-olds in England over the last 4 years. [1](read details regarding the reference)

It is important that all professionals, including those who work primarily with adults, are able to recognise indicators of sexual abuse, understand their role in multi-agency working and respond appropriately, in order to safeguard children effectively.

Signs of child sexual abuse (CSA) can be recognisable in many healthcare settings. Healthcare workers should be vigilant and know of the appropriate action to take when CSA is suspected including local child protection procedures.

The session begins by looking at the recommended assessment and investigation of children and young persons at risk of STIs due to CSA. It then moves on to investigate the use of 'chain of evidence' and finally to discuss STI prophylaxis including HIV.

The session should be considered part of a broader learning programme. You should not expect to be competent, following completion of the session alone, to carry out the procedures described without supervision.