Men sexually abused in childhood. Sequelae and implications for the family physician
D. J. Butler, K. Qualheim, N. Turkal and M. Wissing
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Columbia Family Practice Residency Program, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Although the majority of childhood sexual abuse victims are women, male
children are also at risk for sexual assault and consequent long-term
effects including major psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, sexual
dysfunction, and somatization syndromes. Male patients sexually abused in
childhood or adolescence may present to the primary-care physician with
specific interpersonal or developmental crises or with persistent
depression, anxiety, or somatic complaints. The physician can serve a
therapeutic role by validating the patient's experience and can provide the
patient with information on the prevalence and consequences of male sexual
abuse. Assessment of the impact of sexual abuse will rely on the sensitive
and systematic evaluation of critical variables related to the abuse. More
severely traumatized patients will require assessment for suicide potential
and referral for mental health services.
