NCJ Number
166814
Journal
Child Maltreatment Volume: 2 Issue: 1 Dated: (February 1997) Pages: 78-80
Date Published
1997
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The authors indicate that both abused and nonabused children should be included in child sexual abuse research, that demographic data and methodological details should be fully reported, and that the evidentiary value of physical findings should be carefully analyzed.
Abstract
They identify several factors that can influence the apparent sensitivity of clinical markers or signs of child sexual abuse in medical studies. The sensitivity of a particular sign may vary substantially, depending on the "gold standard" used to identify abused children in a specific study. Researchers should choose a gold standard that is specific to the sign being evaluated. The sensitivity of a medical sign may be affected by the diagnostic methodology used in a particular study, and evaluators should use the same methodology when assessing individual cases of suspected sexual abuse. In addition, the sensitivity of a medical sign may be affected by the amount of time that has elapsed between the abusive act and the medical examination. The usefulness of Bayesian principles for those working with alleged victims of sexual abuse is discussed. 13 references