Les agressions sexuelles sur mineurs : bilan d’activité de l’unité de médecine légale du CHU Ibn Sina de Rabat en 2022

Abstract

Introduction: Child sexual abuse is a public health problem. The challenge for the forensic doctor is to correctly interpret the forensic examination findings.Objective: To study a population of victims of child sexual abuse who consulted at the forensic medicine unit of Ibn Sina Hospital in Rabat in 2022.Material and methods: Were collected demographic data, aggression modalities and victims’ examination findings.Results: Out of 125 children, there were 92 girls and 33 boys. The median age was 14 [8;16] years old. Normal genital examinations concerned 23 (36.4%) victims who had undergone vaginal penetration. When abnormal, genital examination showed recent hymeneal tearing in 5% of cases (n = 3) and non-specific signs in the rest of the cases. Normal anal examination concerned 51.2% (n = 42) of the victims who had undergone anal penetration. When abnormal, anal examinations showed a recent anal fissure in three victims (6.97%) and non-specific signs in the rest of the cases. Clinical examinations were considered compatible with the reported facts for 32 victims (25.6%).Conclusion: In child sexual abuse, the examination is frequently normal. The lesions, if present, must be interpreted taking into account several factors (inter alia, consultation time) and, at best, by an experienced forensic doctor.