The Physician's Role in Management of Victims of Sex Offenders

Most victims of sex offenses are not seen by psychiatrists, and the only medical treatment they receive is administered by the family physician. Victims of sex offenders may be adult women or male or female children. Sexual molestation invariably produces disruptions in psychological equilibrium. While many victims are able to resume normal patterns of life without difficulty, others develop symptoms which may be extremely distressing and tenacious. The alert physician through careful history-taking and examination can identify those people who are likely to require additional care. He then has the opportunity to treat these people himself or to make appropriate referrals to psychiatrists or community agencies. The willingness of the physician to deal directly with these problems can lead to significant benefits to the patient.