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Vaginal Lacerations From Consensual Intercourse in Adolescents

NCJ Number
234299
Journal
Child Abuse & Neglect Volume: 35 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2011 Pages: 69-73
Author(s)
Sarah M. Frioux; Thane Blinman; Cindy W. Christian
Date Published
January 2011
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This study examined vaginal injuries in adolescent girls resulting from consensual sexual intercourse.
Abstract
Analysis of patient data for four female adolescents seen at a children's hospital over a 6-month period found that three of the four patients had vaginal injuries resulting from consensual sexual intercourse, while the fourth patient reported that her injuries were the result of sexual assault. The objectives of this study were to evaluate and describe the types of vaginal injuries associated with consensual sexual intercourse, to contrast these injuries with those found as a result of sexual assault, and to discuss the assessment of sexual injuries in adolescent female patients. Data for the study were obtained from case files of four female adolescent patients seen at a children's hospital for significant vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse. Analysis of the patient files indicate that severe vaginal fornix laceration is consistent with coital injuries resulting from consensual sexual intercourse and are not frequently reported in cases of sexual assault. The results indicate that it is important for health care providers to have knowledge of consensual sexual injuries that may occur in adolescent patients so as to provide the proper diagnosis, treatment, and counseling for patients and their families. References