Citation

Brookhouser PE, Sullivan P, Scanlan JM, Garbarino J. Laryngoscope 1986; 96(2): 152-158.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1986, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

3945145

Abstract

As a primary physician for most deaf children, the otolaryngologist must be able to identify signs and symptoms of sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse is a topic of national concern as epidemiologic data indicate more than 100,000 American children become victims annually. This paper provides an overview of the incidence, demographic characteristics, risk factors, and dynamics of child sexual abuse within both the general handicapped and, specifically, the hearing imparied populations. Strategies for identifying the sexually abused hearing impaired child are delineated including the physical appearance and behavioral manifestations of child victims, as well as the characteristics of abusive caretakers and perpetrators. Case summaries are presented which illustrate these characteristics. A national center specializing in the evaluation and treatment of abused handicapped children is described.

Language: en