Confusions in Sexual Abuse

1
Confusions in Sexual Abuse

• St Marys Conference 2005
• Helena Thornton

2
Confusions in Sexual Abuse

• Normal variations of development
• Signs of skin disease

3
Normal variations of development

• Crescentic hymen
• Fusion of labia minora
• Normal vulval redness
• Striae
• Midline raphe
• Mongolian blue spot
• Urethral caruncle

4
Skin diseases

• Eczema
• Lichen sclerosus
• Nappy rash
• Psoriasis
• Haemangioma

5
Eczema

• Usually widespread over body
• Can cause severe excoriation
• Appearances may differ over genital area

6
Lichen Sclerosus

• Disorder of collagen allied to scleroderma
• Can occur in adults or children
• Effects clitoris/ labia minora, can extend to
  perianal/ anal area
• Clear line of demarcation between diseased and
  normal skin
• Itching and bleeding may result

7
Other skin diseases

• Psoriasis
• Haemangioma