Triage protocol for children with suspected sexual abuse
Triage protocol for children with suspected sexual abuse Child Abuse and Neglect Child Abuse and Neglect
«Flowchart»

Abuse suspected

Abuse suspected

Abuse suspected

Abuse suspected

Report to child protective services and police

Report to child protective services and police

Report to child protective services and police

Report to child protective services and police

Abuse likely occurred within past 72 hours (prepubertal) or 120 hours (postpubertal)

Abuse likely occurred within past 72 hours (prepubertal) or 120 hours (postpubertal)

Abuse likely occurred within past 72 hours (prepubertal) or 120 hours (postpubertal)

Abuse likely occurred within past 72 hours (prepubertal) or 120 hours (postpubertal)

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

Send child to acute sexual abuse referral center for urgent exam and possible forensic evidence collection

Send child to acute sexual abuse referral center for urgent exam and possible forensic evidence collection

Send child to acute sexual abuse referral center for urgent exam and possible forensic evidence collection

Send child to acute sexual abuse referral center for urgent exam and possible forensic evidence collection

Acute symptoms, e.g., genital pain, or bleeding Acute psychiatric issues

Acute symptoms, e.g., genital pain, or bleeding Acute psychiatric issues

Acute symptoms, e.g., genital pain, or bleeding Acute psychiatric issues

Acute symptoms, e.g., genital pain, or bleeding Acute psychiatric issues

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

Urgent exam not necessary. Nonacute exam should be performed by health professional with expertise in the medical evaluation of child sexual abuse.

Urgent exam not necessary. Nonacute exam should be performed by health professional with expertise in the medical evaluation of child sexual abuse.

Urgent exam not necessary. Nonacute exam should be performed by health professional with expertise in the medical evaluation of child sexual abuse.

Urgent exam not necessary. Nonacute exam should be performed by health professional with expertise in the medical evaluation of child sexual abuse.