Medical Exams
Medical evaluations are scheduled by law enforcement when there is reason to believe that your child has been sexually abused. A medical evaluation is an important step in assuring that he/she is healthy, both physically and mentally.
A Forensic Nurse Examiner with advanced training in child abuse will examine your child.
Acute Sexual Assault Nurse Exams are requested by law enforcement when sexual contact has occurred within the past 120 hours and are conducted at The Children’s Hospital
CAST~CAC provides Non-Acute Sexual Assault Nursing Exams on site at our headquarters location.
Non-Acute Sexual Assault Nurse Exams (SANE) are requested by law enforcement when sexual contact has taken place outside of 120 hours.
FAQs
Will a medical evaluation hurt my child?
No. The child’s well-being is priority in a child sexual abuse medical evaluation, and in most cases, the exam will not hurt. In some cases, however, a blood draw may be necessary to ensure that your child is healthy.
Will the medical evaluation be upsetting for my child?
-In most cases, No. Nurses who conduct child abuse medical exams receive special training on how to conduct the exam in a child-sensitive manner that minimizes discomfort to the child.
Is a child sexual abuse medical evaluation similar to a woman’s pelvic exam?
No. In medical evaluations of young children, the nurse will only conduct a visual exam of the child’s genital area, and nothing will be placed inside of the child. For teenage girls, the exam may be more similar to a well-woman exam so that the doctor or nurse can thoroughly assess the teenager’s health.