SEXUAL ABUSE AGAINST CHILDREN - DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT

Sexual abuse against children is common. Both medical and social worke rs must understand the conditions which suggest the possibility of sex ual abuse. To protect children from further abuse and prevent future p sychological sequellae, it is necessary to make a multidisciplinary as sessment, which is usually followed by referral to justice or to the c hildren's protective services. Legislation concerning medical confidan tiality must be well-known and understood by physicians. If the child is left in his family, supportive measures may help him and his family to modify interrelations. If he is sent away from his family, to a fo ster home or to a foster family it is very important to maintain the b onds between the child and his family. (C) Elsevier, Paris.