title: Children's perceptions of genital examinations during sexual abuse evaluations.
abstract: Children's reactions to the medical evaluation of sexual abuse and the methods that enhance their coping ability have not been well addressed in the literature. For many children, a genital examination can be highly stressful, and may even trigger memories of the sexual abuse itself. Stress can be reduced by preparing the child for the examination, by giving the child greater control, and by debriefing the child (and parents) afterward. Research is needed to develop the most effective techniques for reducing children's stress during a genital examination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC.
authors.forename: N L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Berson
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Herman-Giddens
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Frothingham
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002650:Child Abuse, Sexual / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D002669:Child Welfare; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010358:Patient Participation / Q000523:psychology; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000523:psychology*