The CAC believes that all children who may have experienced child abuse or neglect deserve to have access to a medical examination. After a disclosure or concern of abuse, it is often helpful for a child to see a medical professional.

A comprehensive and carefully conducted medical exam is performed on-site at no cost to the family by a pediatric nurse practitioner who specializes in pediatric sexual assault evaluations. An exam involves a complete medical history followed by a thorough head to toe exam that is not much different than a typical well-child check-up, but it plays an important role in gathering information and evidence for a child abuse investigation.

The medical exam can identify any medical issues or forensic findings that need attention but is not invasive and should cause your child no pain. It is normal for children and their families to feel anxious about the exam. The medical provider will take as much time as necessary to help throughout the exam by explaining each step and finding ways to put the child at ease.

The exam takes place in our comfortable exam room and may last 1-2 hours. The child may have a support person in the room during the exam if they desire. There are never any restraints placed on the child, and the child can choose at any time if he/she would like to stop the exam.

Although there are rarely physical signs of sexual abuse, many children and families are reassured knowing that their bodies are okay and healthy. What’s discovered in the exam helps the investigative team determine what happened to the child and how to move forward with the case.

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