For any parent, this subject is usually a very trying and painful one; to have your child raped or sexually abused by anyone.

The two terms are not the same. Rape is the act of forcefully having sexual intercourse with any child below the age of 18 years either orally, through the anus or vaginal but sexual abuse entails much more and also includes

— "the inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual
activity;
— the exploitative use of a child in prostitution or other unlawful sexual
practices;
— the exploitative use of children in pornographic performance and
materials”.

Just recently, a mother came into our clinic last week Thursday with her 17 year old daughter who had been raped by her boss 4 days earlier. The mother just got to know about it when her daughter opened up and had gone to the police to report the matter. She was subsequently referred to the hospital to get a medical report and to do a HIV test.

The consultant in my unit decided to review this case herself. During the interview, the mom was asked to leave so that we could talk to the victim privately. We learnt from the girl that her father had died some years back and due to financial constraints, her mom got her a job to work as an apprentice to a man who runs a small printing press.

On that fateful day the rape occurred, the man had sent her on an errand asking her to report back to him at his place of residence. On arriving at his place, he made some sexual advances which the girl refused and then he proceeded to rape her repeatedly within a space of 3 hours. Not through with this sordid act, he took some nude pictures and threatened to show it to her family and friends if she dares tell anyone. It didn't end there, as the man kept calling her afterwards demanding for sex or else he will release the nude pictures. The patient had no choice but to tell her mom who immediately went to the police to report the matter.

We calmed both mother and child. We further examined the victim's private area for any tell tale signs of abuse like cuts and bruises but we saw none which was not unusual. We requested for HIV test which turned out negative and other tests to rule out other sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. Furthermore, we issued the medical report as requested by the police, counselled them and gave them some drugs.

This was just a brief summary of what transpired.

For more, please go to http://www.kiddiesmatters.com/2016/05/sexual-abuse.html