A brief overview of managing prepubertal children who have experienced sexual abuse

Abstract

In South Africa, undergraduate medical teaching does not prepare medical and nursing practitioners adequately for the clinical forensic management of patients who have experienced child sexual abuse. Clinicians might be apprehensive when confronted with children who may have experienced sexual abuse. Their insecurities arise from a perceived lack of knowledge and the time-consuming nature of the legal procedures. The high prevalence of the sexual abuse of children demands the involvement of the medical profession. This article aims to allay uncertainty and address the unnecessary barriers to the provision of service and support to vulnerable pre-pubertal children who are victims of abuse.