Child Maltreatment - Sexual Abuse

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

Sexual abuse of a child occurs when someone has sexual contact with anyone younger than 18 years old. It includes kissing, showing genitals to the child, fondling the child's genitals, showing sexual materials, or using force to have sex. Sexual exploitation, which includes child prostitution and pornography, is also sexual abuse. Parents, guardians, foster parents, relatives, or a carer of a child may be responsible for sexual abuse.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Pain medicine: Your child may be given a prescription medicine to decrease pain. Do not wait until the pain is severe before you give him more pain medicine.
  
  
• Give your child's medicine as directed: Call your child's primary healthcare provider if you think the medicine is not working as expected. Tell him if your child is allergic to any medicine. Keep a current list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs your child takes. Include the amounts, and when, how, and why they are taken. Bring the list or the medicines in their containers to follow-up visits. Carry your child's medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists.
  
  
• Do not give aspirin to children under 18 years of age: Your child could develop Reye syndrome if he takes aspirin. Reye syndrome can cause life-threatening brain and liver damage. Check your child's medicine labels for aspirin, salicylates, or oil of wintergreen.

Follow up with your child's primary healthcare provider as directed:

Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your child's visits.

Wound care:

Ask your child's primary healthcare provider for information about how to take care of your child's wounds.

Care for a child victim of sexual abuse:

• Rest: Let your child rest if he needs to. Tell your child's primary healthcare provider if your child has trouble sleeping.
  
  
• Report sexual abuse: It may be hard to report child sexual abuse, but it is very important. Caregivers can help your child if he is at risk for or is a victim of sexual abuse. Caregivers are required by law to report sexual abuse. Your child may need to leave his current living situation and be placed in foster care to protect him from the abuse.
  
  
• Take your child for counseling: Sexual abuse may cause your child to feel scared, depressed, or anxious. Your child's primary healthcare provider may suggest that your child see a counselor to talk about how he feels.

For support and more information:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway
  Leawood , KS 66211-2680
  Phone: 1- 913 - 906-6000
  Phone: 1- 800 - 274-2237
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

Contact your child's primary healthcare provider if:

• Your child is sad or depressed most of the time, or frightened of other people.
  
  
• Your child has new signs and symptoms since his last visit.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.

Seek care immediately or call 911 if:

• Your child feels that he cannot cope with the abuse, or his recovery from it.
  
  
• Your child has blood or foul-smelling discharge coming from his genital area.
  
  
• Your child has problems sleeping, urinating, or having bowel movements.
  
  
• Your child has trouble breathing, chest pain, or a fast heartbeat.
  
  
• Your child feels like hurting himself or someone else.

Learn more about Child Maltreatment - Sexual Abuse (Discharge Care)