Media-Facilitated Sexual Assault in Children and Teens

Interpretation of medical findings in suspected child sexual abuse: An update for 2023

Health care professionals who examine children who may have been sexually abused need to be able to recognize, and photo-document any physical signs, and to have access to expert reviewers, particularly when signs concerning for sexual abuse are found. Although the general consensus among practitioners is that children will show few signs of sexual abuse on examination, there is considerable variability and rates of positive exam findings among practitioners of different professions, practice settings, and countries. This review will summarize new data and recommendations regarding the interpretation of medical findings and sexually transmitted infections (STIs); assessment and management of pediatric patients presenting with suspected sexual abuse or assault; and testing and treating patients for STIs. Updates to a table listing an approach to the interpretation of medical findings are presented, and reasons for changes are discussed.

Technology-facilitated sexual assault in children and adolescents; is there a cause for concern? Fourteen years of experience at a metropolitan forensic paediatric medical service

AIM

To quantify and characterise sexual assaults occurring after 12-17-year-old children connect with an alleged offender online (technology-facilitated sexual assault: TFSA) examined at a paediatric forensic medical service in Melbourne, Australia between 2014 and 2020. To compare these findings to a previous 7-year audit (2007-2013) to determine if there has been an increase in TFSA over the last 14 years.

METHODS

A retrospective audit was undertaken of medical records of children aged 12-17 who underwent forensic medical examinations at the Victorian Forensic Paediatric Medical Service following an allegation of sexual assault, between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2020. Cases identified as being technology facilitated were further analysed. Results from 2014 to 2020 7-year cohort were then compared to an existing audit over the preceding 7-year period (2007-2013).

RESULTS

Of 515 sexual assault cases between 2014 and 2020, 70 (14%) victims reported connecting with the offender on a technological platform, compared to 4% of cases between 2007 and 2013. In 2019 and 2020, TFSA comprised almost one-fifth of caseload. Of the 70 TFSA cases, the majority occurred at the first face-to-face meeting following a variable period of online communication. Approximately one-third of TFSA's occurred at the offender's residence, and another third in a public place (park, public toilets). Technological platforms used evolved over the 14-year study period.

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of TFSA caseload seen at an Australian paediatric forensic medical service increased over the last 14 years, with common characteristics to these sexual assaults suggested.

Healthcare Professionals' Views for the Content of the Teddy Bear Hospital for a Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Module

Worldwide studies have reported a drastic increase in child sexual abuse (CSA) involving very young children. In Malaysia, several attempts have been made to combat this problem via educational programs. Teachers have reported a lack of confidence in teaching this topic; hence a less threatening approach is needed. The Teddy Bear Hospital (TBH) is an innovation whereby the children bring their teddies while visiting the volunteers assuming healthcare practitioners' role. This execution is effective in reducing the children's anxieties about hospitalization and increasing their health knowledge. Therefore, our objective is to explore healthcare practitioners' (HCP) views for the content of TBH and its approach as a personal safety module toward preventing CSA. Eighteen in-depth-interviews were conducted. Interviews were thematically analyzed. Participants suggest the TBH method as a good approach to teaching prevention of CSA among preschoolers. Four main themes emerged from this study: (1) educating children about personal safety, (2) moral values and faith as a medium to prevent child sexual abuse, (3) addressing social media use in children, and (4) general approach to content delivery. The involvement of parents is crucial. Addressing moral values and faith and usage of social media platforms are also essential factors to look into.