MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS

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Medical Professionals

In many cases of sexual offences parents and caregivers prefer to take their children to a nearest hospital or a clinic even before they go to the police. Thus your response is key to the child’s well being and recovery. The evidence collected in the course of medical examination is the core of most investigations.

This page will help you understand some of the medico-legal aspects of the cases and also equip you with basic skills on how to interact with survivors and families. Every parent wants to take their child to a child-friendly hospital. You can help your hospital or practice become that space.

To Learn about the POCSO law and its implications for Medical Professionals see below slideshow

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Posters that You Can Use on Your Hospital Walls:

Some Warning Signs and Symptoms of Sexual Abuse that You May Notice

Any one sign doesn’t mean that a child was sexually abused, but the presence of several suggests that you begin to investigate. Symptoms of sexual abuse in children are similar to those of depression or severe anxiety and nervousness. Know More »

Interacting with the Child

When a child chooses to disclose an experience of abuse to you, your immediate reaction is key to the child’s well-being and recovery. These are a few simple steps that help you establish a trusting relationship with the child with his/her best interest in mind.

Guidelines and Protocols: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare: Medico-Legal Care for Survivors/Victims

  To build health workers’ capacity to respond to cases of sexual assault in a sensitive and comprehensive manner, The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India in collaboration with the ngo CEHAT and WHO has adapted the Guidelines for medico-legal care for victims of sexual violence to… Know More »

Department of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Guidelines for rapid response by hospitals in case of MLC examination of victims of sexual assault, 28 January 2013.

1. When the victims of sexual assault are brought to the hospitals by the police or otherwise for MLC and treatment , it should be done “promptly and without delay’’. 2. As the victims of sexual assault are traumatised and their physical condition and state of mind are unstable, handling… Know More »

Department Of Health Research (DHR), Forensic Medical Care For Victims Of Sexual Assault, DHR Guidelines, 2013

1. While carrying out medical tests no third person must be present in the room other than the doctor. If the doctor is male, a female attendant must be there. Note: POCSO law allows presence of a parent and/or a trusted adult during medical examination 2. Doctors are asked not… Know More »

The WHO Guidelines on Violence and Injury Prevention

The Summary and Recommendation of the Guidelines are given below:- 1. The dynamics of child sexual abuse differ from those of adult sexual abuse. In particular, children rarely disclose sexual abuse immediately after the event. Moreover, disclosure tends to be a process rather than a single episode and is often… Know More »