Protecting Children From Sexual Abuse by Health Care Professionals and in the Health Care Setting

Abstract

Sexual abuse or exploitation of children is never acceptable. Such behavior by pediatricians and health care professionals is particularly concerning because of the trust that children and their families place on adults in the health care profession. The American Academy of Pediatrics stands strongly behind the social and moral prohibition against sexual abuse or exploitation of children by health care professionals. Pediatricians and health care professionals should be trained to recognize and abide by appropriate provider-patient boundaries. Medical institutions should screen staff members for a history of child abuse issues, train them to respect and maintain appropriate boundaries, and establish policies and procedures to receive and investigate concerns about patient abuse. Everyone has a responsibility to ensure the safety of children in health care settings and to scrupulously follow appropriate legal and ethical reporting and investigation procedures.