Medical Fundamentals of Child Abuse for Healthcare Providers

Child abuse is common. 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 6 boys are sexually abused in childhood. Many of the pediatric patients you see have been victimized. If you have adult patients, the prevalence is even higher because when someone experiences child maltreatment, they are more likely to need health care for physical and mental health difficulties throughout their lifespan. Indicators of abuse can be subtle, especially in infants. In this session, you will learn what to pay attention to, how to evaluate concerning signs and symptoms, and how to report suspected abuse and neglect and what happens after you do.