A 9-year-old presents with disclosure of sexual abuse by an adult caregiver. Which actions are appropriate? Select all that apply.
Select All That Apply
Choose your responses, then check the answer.
Explanation
Child sexual abuse care: report to CPS and law enforcement as mandatory reporter (regardless of state, regardless of perpetrator identity). Use trauma-informed care — private space, calm presence, minimal questioning to avoid retraumatization and forensic contamination. Forensic exam by trained pediatric SANE/SAFE within state-specific window (often 72-120 hours). Discuss STI testing and HIV PEP, emergency contraception per age and protocol, with informed assent of child and consent of nonperpetrator caregiver. REPEATED questioning by multiple providers re-traumatizes and undermines forensic interview by trained child interviewer.
Acute care priorities: safety, medical stabilization, evidence preservation, mandated reporting, mental health linkage. Forensic interview by specialist (CAC) — not bedside RN.
Disclosure within 72 hours. Child accompanied by school counselor. Mother en route.
SANE — Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner; specially trained for forensic and medical care.
child advocacy center — Multidisciplinary center for child abuse evaluation and forensic interview.
retraumatization — Re-experiencing trauma due to current interaction such as repeated questioning.