ESPU Congress 2017 - Abstract book

304

CONGRESS OF THE ESPU

Nurses

KL1: KEYNOTE LECTURE 1: RECOGNIZING SEXUAL

ABUSE

Moderators: Louiza Dale (UK), Magdalena Vu Minh Arnell (Sweden)

ESPU-Nurses Meeting on Thursday 20, April 2017,

08:20–09:20

09:10–09:20

KL1-1 (LO)

HOW TO ASK QUESTIONS RELATED TO CHILD ABUSE?

Lottie PEERDEMAN

, Anka NIEUWHOF-LEPPINK

, Renske SCHAPPIN

and Aart Jan KLIJN

1) Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, Utrecht, Pediatric Psychology & Social Work, Utrecht, NETHERLANDS -

2) Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital Utrecht, Pediatric Psychology & Social Work, Utrecht, NETHERLANDS - 3) Wilhelmina

Children’s Hospital, Utrecht, Pediatric Urology, Utrecht, NETHERLANDS

PURPOSE

Lower urinary tract problems in children can be related to bullying, physical abuse and unwanted

sexual experiences. In general, patients with incontinence are not explicitly asked about these

experiences during intake for urotherapy. Healthcare professionals may be reluctant to ask about

these experiences due to their own discomfort to talk about these topics and their own personal

experiences. However, healthcare professionals are responsible for child wellbeing. Knowledge

about these topics contributes to better diagnosis and treatment of urological problems.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We extended our intake interview with questions about bullying, physical abuse and unwanted

sexual experiences, for example “Does anyone touch your body while you don’t want it? For exam-

ple between your legs, your bottom or penis?”.

RESULTS

Approximately 200 intakes have been conducted with the new interview. Among these children,

3 stated they had unwanted sexual experiences and 4 experienced bullying. Resistance and inquiry

by parents occurred only once.

CONCLUSIONS

By routinely asking during intake interviews about bullying, physical abuse and unwanted sexual

experiences, professionals become familiar with talking about these topics and overcome their

initial discomfort. Our new intake interview has increased transparency on child abuse within our

urological department. By asking children and parents about experiences of abuse, we show that it

is accepted to talk about these experiences and that we can offer appropriate care. Of course, we

realize that a substantial group of patients is underdiagnosed/missed. In theory, one would expect

a much higher percentage of sexual abuse in this group of patients.