Tips
For Parents To Prevent Children From Being Sexually Abused By Doctors
Research reveals many cases from
across the country of child sexual abuse by doctors. There are
many unreported cases because patients are afraid to speak up
about the abuse they experienced because they know that it is
very easy for doctors to get away with wrongdoing. Some doctors
that have committed misconduct have continued to practice. It
usually takes a long time for law enforcement to arrest them.
One of the worst cases was Dr. Earl Bradley, a pediatrician in
Delaware who has been accused of sexually abusing over 100 children.
He was even accused of sexually abusing a three-month old infant
according to one news source. Check
out the article by ABC News about Dr. Earl Bradley. Another
pediatrician, Dr. Levine, a learning disabilities expert, was
accused of sexually abusing five boys. Check out some articles
about Dr.
Levine in The New York Times. Another doctor who committed
sexual misconduct was Dr.
Van De Loo, a pediatrician and sports medicine specialist,
who sexually abused some boys during sports physicals.
The
following are tips that will help parents prevent doctors like
these from sexually abusing their children:
1) It is best for at least
one parent or trusted adult be present in the examining room with
the child at all times. Remember the nurse is primarily
there to protect the doctor. Sometimes, children have a hard time
knowing if the doctor is doing anything inappropriate.
2) Teach your
children boundaries and explain to them that they should apply
them to doctors, too. Check out Boundaries
For Children.
3) If your daughter
has any medical problems with body parts that are covered by a
2 two-piece bathing suit, you should always take her to a female
doctor. Be willing to drive farther if necessary. One mother took
her teenage daughter who had an infected tailbone to a female
nurse practitioner 45 minutes away because their town only had
male doctors.
4) If the doctor tells you that he/she thinks
it would be best if you left the examining room firmly refuse
to do so.
5) If the doctor desires to take your child to
another room for a special treat by himself/herself, firmly refuse
and strongly assert that you need to go with him/her. A good pediatrician
welcomes parents in the examining room with the child.
6) Be firm and don't let the child undress unnecessarily
for certain procedures. For example, if a child is suspected to
have chicken pox, there's no need for him/her to remove clothing
because the doctors can diagnose chicken pox by examining certain
parts of skin that are uncovered, such as arms.
7) We advise
you to encourage your teenage daughters to never let a
male medical professional access any private parts that
are covered by a two-piece bathing suit because women put themselves
in a vulnerable position for procedures that require exposed private
areas of the body. Many teenage girls do not want their mothers
to be a part of their gynecological appointments. Remember that
pap smears are often unnecessary for teenage girls unless they
are sexually active. See more information on pap
smears for virgins. If your daughter needs a gynecologist,
try to find her a female gynecologist who specializes in adolescent
gynecology. Many teenage girls have been traumatized by the memory
of being examined by a male doctor if they accessed their private
parts. Some women cannot recover from the experience even after
many years. Be willing to drive as far as you have to in order
to find a good female doctor for your daughter if there are no
female doctors where you live. Check
out tips for female teenagers.
8) Keep in mind
that boys are also vulnerable and can be sexually abused by doctors,
too, take precautions with them.
9) Don't allow any unnecessary genital, rectal,
and breast exams on your children. If your child is uncomfortable
with any intimate exams, make sure her/his wishes are honored.
10) Demand to be present for
your child's procedure or surgery especially if he/she will be
sedated or under anesthesia. Check out Why
You Should Have a Personal Advocate For Surgery?
11) Stay educated about any procedures
or surgeries your children may need to have. Take time to do your
own research. For example, if your child is suspected of having
appendicitis, don't allow a rectal exam to be done unless appendicitis
has been ruled out by other tests. Check
out how they diagnose appendicitis. Check out this other
article about how digital rectal exam is often unnecessary
for diagnosing appendicitis and how it can be emotionally and
physically traumatic. Check out this article, Surgery
for appendicitis? Antibiotics alone may be enough and video,
Antibiotics
Alone Successfully Treat Appendicitis In Children.
12) Think in advance about what
parts of your child's body need to be examined before you go to
the doctor. For example, if your teenage daughter has an elbow
injury, it would be best if she could wear a short sleeved shirt
instead of a long sleeved shirt so she would not have to take
her shirt off.
13) Always keep in mind that doctors
are humans and not infallible. Do not teach your children that
the doctor is always right and everything the doctor does is good.
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