Sexual assault examinations in children. The role of a statewide network of health care providers.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the formation of a statewide network of health care providers to care for child victims of sexual assault and to describe the patients seen by network providers.


METHODS
Clinical description, patient series.


METHODS
Private practices, hospital clinics, and emergency departments.


METHODS
One thousand five hundred fifty-five child victims of suspected sexual assault.


METHODS
Children were referred to the Sexual Assault Findings Examination Network by the state's child protection agency, law enforcement agency, or the child's parent or guardian. No sampling system was used; the children compose the entire population of network patients.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
Detailed physical examinations were performed on all patients, along with extensive collection of pertinent behavioral and historical information. Substantiation of child abuse-neglect by the state's child protection agency was higher in incidents in which SAFE Network providers evaluated the child as compared with all other providers, even where there was no physical evidence.


CONCLUSIONS
The network concept, including mandatory training, standard data form and protocol utilization, uniform reimbursement, and continuing education, provides a more reliable level of care for child victims of sexual assault than is available with a variety of providers working independently.
Kivlahan
C
C
Missouri Department of Social Services, Jefferson City.
Kruse
R
R
Furnell
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008923:Missouri / Q000453:epidemiology; D011635:Public Health Administration; D012041:Regional Medical Programs