- Evaluate the child's health and well-being through a complete history and examination
- Assess for acute injuries or evidence of healing injuries
- Offer recommendations for follow-up care
- Provide education for the child and caregiver
Forensic Care for Children and Families
The Forensic Care Center at Carroll Hospital provides expert medical care, forensic examinations and education for children who may have experienced sexual assault or sexual abuse.
In coordination with the Carroll County Child Advocacy Center, our specially trained Forensic Nurse Examiners focus on your child's health, safety and well-being while helping you understand the examination process, available resources and next steps.
What is Child Sexual Assault?
Child sexual assault is any unwanted sexual act or behavior between a child and an adult that the child cannot comprehend, for which the child is developmentally unprepared and cannot give consent, and/or that violates the law.
Sexual assault may be a single incident and may involve someone known to the child or a stranger. This person may use threats, force or coercion.
Examples of child sexual assault include:
- Rape or attempted rape
- Sodomy (anal penetration)
- Digital penetration of the vagina or anus
- Fondling or unwanted touching
- Oral sex (given or received)
What is Child Sexual Abuse?
Child sexual abuse is often ongoing over a period of time and may involve grooming behaviors like targeting a specific child, gaining their trust, filling a need they have or isolating them from others.
Abuse can occur by family members or other trusted adults like teachers, neighbors, coaches, babysitters or clergy members. It may or may not involve physical contact.
Examples of child sexual abuse include:
- Exposing genitals to a child for sexual arousal
- Touching or fondling a child for sexual gratification
- Masturbating in front of a child or forcing a child to masturbate
- Engaging in sexually explicit conversations with a child, including phone calls, texting, sexting or online interactions
- Child pornography
- Child sex trafficking, exploitation or prostitution
- Any sexual act with a child
If You Think Your Child Has Been Sexually Assaulted or Abused
If your child tells you about abuse or assault, or if you suspect that it may have occurred:
- Remain calm and reassure your child that you believe them.
- Make sure your child understands that they are not to blame.
- Contact Child Protective Services (CPS) immediately at 410-386-3434.
- Follow CPS guidance regarding interviews, examinations and next steps.
If your child has injuries requiring medical attention or is actively suicidal or homicidal, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
What Happens Next?
If your child is brought to Carroll Hospital's Emergency Department with injuries or urgent medical needs, our first priority is treating those injuries and caring for your child’s physical and emotional well-being.
If Child Protective Services has not already been contacted, we will notify CPS as required by Maryland law.
A CPS investigator, often working with a detective from the Carroll County Child Advocacy Center (CCCAC), will work with you to determine whether an investigation, interview and/or medical forensic examination is needed.
If a medical forensic examination is recommended, the Carroll County Child Advocacy Center will coordinate scheduling with the Forensic Care Center after your child has been medically cleared and interviewed.
Pediatric Medical Forensic Examinations
Medical forensic examinations are strongly encouraged for children who may have experienced sexual assault or abuse, regardless of the potential for evidence or how much time has passed since the incident.
These examinations allow families to speak with specialized medical professionals about their child's health and well-being and help identify signs of abuse, neglect, injury or healing.
Goals of the Examination
Preparing Your Child
You may find it helpful to explain:
- The forensic medical examination is intended to make sure their body is healthy.
- It is a head-to-toe examination that includes all areas of the body, including private areas.
- With consent, doctors and nurses may look in areas that a bathing suit covers.
- Children are encouraged to ask questions throughout the examination.
- You or another trusted adult may be able to stay with them during the examination if they want.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a medical forensic examination traumatic for kids?
The medical forensic examination is designed to avoid further traumatizing your child.
This is not a gynecological exam and is not invasive. Our Forensic Care Center team is skilled in relaxation and distraction methods, and considerable time is spent building rapport with every child.
If your child is unable to tolerate any aspect of the examination, other approaches may be tried, or the examination will be stopped.
What does it mean if there are no findings?
It is very common for findings to be normal.
Less than 5% of known child sexual abuse cases have physical findings during a medical forensic examination. This does not mean that abuse or assault did not occur. There are many reasons for the absence of findings.
The Forensic Care Center team will review and discuss all findings, or lack of findings, with a parent or guardian.
What happens after the medical forensic examination?
The Forensic Care Center provides examination findings, records and evidence to the investigative team involved in your child's case.
Referrals for follow-up care and counseling for both you and your child will be provided.
Members of the Forensic Care Center team may also provide fact or expert witness testimony if needed.
Please know that we are here to help you and your child in any way we can.
Who can access medical forensic records?
Authorization is generally required before records are released to law enforcement, the State's Attorney's Office, parents or guardians or other medical providers involved in a child's care.
However, Child Protective Services may access records without consent when permitted under laws governing suspected child abuse or neglect.
