Signs of genital trauma in adolescent rape victims examined acutely

The timing of medical examination following an allegation of sexual abuse: is this an emergency?

“…Kellog17 for example, looked at pregnant girls who had alleged abuse, and noted only two of her 36 subjects had positive findings; it was likely that they were seen some time after the “incident”, which is thought to explain the lack of injury. Adams18 found a high correlation of signs if the adolescent was seen within 72 hours, while Biggs15 found that a substantial proportion of women regardless of prior sexual experience would not have visible genital injuries. This is because the post-pubertal genital area is vascular and healing of lacerations and abrasions is rapid.…”

Adolescent complainants of sexual assault; injury patterns in virgin and non-virgin groups

“…The importance of early examination was noted, although even then the absence of specific findings is common. 1 Adams et al 2 coined the phrase ''it's normal to be normal'' in conclusion to their retrospective study of files and colposcopic photographs of 236 children with perpetrator conviction for sexual abuse. The mean age of the patients was 9.0 years, with 63% reporting penile genital contact.…”

Genital Trauma in Pediatric and Adolescent Females

“…posterior fourchette or fossa navicularis), are most common. 8,18,19 Injuries to the labia and hymenal tears are uncommon. 8,18 Again, a majority of patients have normal findings.…”