The case for specialized health care representatives to recognize and prevent child sexual abuse

This report follows the case of a child who received medical services for a pregnancy at age 12 without follow up services from the hospital medical team. A later investigation resulted in charges to the child's step-father for sexual abuse of the child. The advocate makes several observations and recommendations for health care providers who serve children for sexual health concerns, including; verifying the relationship of the accompanying parent/guardian; collateral information gathering; hospital social work consults; child protection education; and, provision of sexual/reproductive health information to young patients.