Limitations of the medical evaluation for child sexual abuse

The purpose of this review is to highlight the inherent difficulties that a clinician faces during the evaluation of child sexual abuse cases. Each co mponent of the medical evaluation has its own unique problems. Some of them are caused by the nature of the abusive relationship, while others are the result of the children's limited verbal skills. Readers should be aware of these limitations as they formulate an opinion at the conclusion of the ex amination.