Introduce
Sexual abuse, especially child sexual abuse, is one of the challenging crimes that law enforcers and criminologists deal with. The main challenge in dealing with sexual abuse is showing without doubt that it has occurred. In the paper, I discuss symptomatic and nonspecific medical evidence of sexual abuse.
Symptomatic evidence of Sexual abuse
A child that has been sexually abused can show certain symptoms that can indicate sexual abuse. Although a child may not tell about sexual abuse, some behavioral and emotional changes may help in knowing whether sexual abuse has occurred. Mood changes manifested in signs of depression can be indicative of sexual abuse. Sexually abused children may demonstrate sadness, anger, tearfulness, mood swings, or lethargy (Myers, 1997). Sexually abused persons may also exhibit insomnia and frequent nightmares. Common behavior change in sexually abused persons is isolation and avoiding certain people or places. Children that are victims of sexual abuse or assault may start to withdraw from some family members or friends. In children, sexual abuse victims may start to spend most of their time outside and reveal fear of some places or some individuals. Children and adolescents that are victims of sexual abuse may start to experiment with alcohol and drugs. Sexual abuse normally impacts the sexual behavior of its victims. For instance, sexually abused children may demonstrate extreme sensitivity to touch, even by safe family members (Myers, 1997). On the other hand, some sexual abuse victims may demonstrate suggestive or promiscuous behaviors that were not evident before. A child may also demonstrate abnormal sexual knowledge to its age. Change in eating habits, drop in academic performance, self-mutilation and suicidal thoughts can indicate sexual abuse. Although the various signs and symptoms can point to sexual abuse, they can result from other causes other than sexual abuse.
Nonspecific Medical Evidence
Medical evidence is often sought in sexual abuse cases. Although medical evidence can be helpful, most are nonspecific. ‘Nonspecific’ implies that although the evidence can indicate sexual abuse, it can as well result from other causes. The nonspecific medical evidence of sexual abuse includes pain in genitals, abdomen, or thighs; hemauria; dysuria, hematochezia, and pain on defecation (Myers, 1997). Sexual abuse may lead to increase urinary frequency, vaginal discharge, constipation, enuresis, and encopresis. Unfortunately, however, all the evidence can have other causes other than sexual abuse. Constipation, abdominal pain, pain in the genital or even virginal discharge can result from other things and cannot be sufficient evidence of sexual abuse.
Sexual abuse through penetration often leads to physical injury. Injury in form of ulcers or lesions in the genital area can therefore be evidence of sexual abuse (Myers, 1997). The injury however can occur from other causes and cannot be sufficient for sexual abuse. Vaginal bleeding, erythema, wider hymen opening, and bloodstains on underwear can indicate that a child has been sexually abused but they are not sufficient.
Summary
The most symptomatic and medical evidence of sexual abuse is nonspecific. Emotional and behavioral changes that are associated with sexual abuse such as signs of depression, unexplained fear, or isolation and withdrawal can have other social and psychological causes. Medical evidence such as virginal bleeding and injury in the genital area can result from other causes. For instance, some of the injuries may be accidental and not associated with sexual abuse. However, the presence on symptomatic and nonspecific medical evidence can help an investigator to know whether sexual abuse has occurred.
Reference List
Myers, J. (1997). Evidence in child abuse and neglect cases. New York: Aspen Publishers Online.