Sexual abuse and exploitation Flashcards
What is sexual abuse of a child?
forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, including prostitution, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening
What are 6 examples of sexual abuse/ exploitation?
- penetrative acts such as rape
- buggery
- oral sex
- noncontact activities such as involving children in looking at or producing pornographic material
- watching sexual activities
- encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.
What is sexual exploitation?
type of sexual abuse in which children are sexually exploited for money, power, or status
What are 4 examples of sexual exploitation?
- may be tricked into believing they are in a loving, consensual relationship
- might be invited to parties and given drugs and alcohol
- may also be groomed online
- trafficked into or within the UK for the purpose of sexual exploitation
What are 12 sources of information that need to be incorporated when assessing sexual abuse?
- History from parent
- Physical examinations
- Physical symptoms
- Child’s history
- Sexually transmitted diseases
- Any disclosure
- Behaviour
- Bruises/ injury
- Forensic
- Siblings
- Social work assessment
- Police enquiry
What are 4 signs of sexual abuse in a child?
- child may tell someone about the abuse
- child may be identified in pornographic material
- child may be pregnant (by legal definition this is due to sexual abuse for a girl under age of 13)
- have a sexually transmitted infection with no clear explanation (but some sexually transmitted infections can be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or birth)
What are 2 physical symptoms of sexual abuse in a child?
- Vaginal bleeding, itching, discharge
- Rectal leeding
What are 3 types of behavioural symptoms in a child due to sexual abuse?
- Unexpected awareness or acting out of sexualised behaviour beyond what would be expected for age
- Soiling, secondary enuresis
- Self-harm, aggressive or sexualised behaviours, regression, poor school performance
What are 3 reasons why it can be difficult to identify sexual abuse in a child?
- Often comprises of touching or kissing etc. that doesn’t involve significant physical force
- Genital area heals very quickly in young children, so signs may be absent even a few days after significant trauma
- Forensic material decays rapidly
What are 3 things required for examination of children suspected of having been sexually abused?
- Doctor with specific expertise and training
- Facilities for photographic documentaiton
- STI screening and management
- Forensic testing - of swabs from child or his/her clothing/bedding may reveal DNA from body fluid of perpetrator
