Sexual abuse in children: determination, identification and interventions

Sexual and psychological abuse of children has drawn increasing attention from both the media and therapeutic institutions in recent years. This phenomenon has been amply determined to be widespread. 62% of children are victims of broadly defined psychological, physical and sexual abuse. Using stricter criteria, child abuse occurs in 6%. Most abusers are male relatives. The psychological model of the abuser cannot be determined, although risk factors in families in which abuse occurs can be identified. Children in distress due to sexual abuse do not usually report it, but the distress can be recognized because of hints and changes in the child's behavior. When children are identified as victims of sexual abuse, the welfare clerk or social worker should be informed immediately and the need for treatment determined. The purpose of this paper is to increase awareness of physicians, and particularly family physicians, of this phenomenon and of its frequency, as well as of the necessity for their interaction with treating factors.