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Hymenal Characteristics in Girls with and without a History of Sexual Abuse

NCJ Number
236996
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 20 Issue: 5 Dated: September-October 2011 Pages: 521-536
Author(s)
Sara T. Stewart
Date Published
October 2011
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This article reviews physical findings related to the hymen in pubertal and prepubertal girls with and without a history of sexual abuse.
Abstract
This article reviews the recent literature on physical findings related to the hymen in pubertal and prepubertal girls with and without a history of sexual abuse. Characteristics of normal hymenal anatomy, acute traumatic findings, and characteristics of healed trauma are discussed, particularly with regard to changes in the interpretation of these findings that have occurred over time. (Published Abstract)