[How do you recognise sexual abuse in children?].

One in three children will experience sexual violence before they are 18 years old. The recognition and evaluation of alleged child sexual abuse is complex. Presently there are no validated, self-contained instruments that can be used to evaluate (alleged) sexual abuse in children. Allegations of child sexual abuse need to be evaluated in a systematic and multidisciplinary (medical and psychosocial) manner by professionals with relevant expertise, preferably in a specialised centre. When a child has psychosocial symptoms after sexual abuse, it is advised to refer the child for psychosocial care. For all other children, psycho-education and watchful-waiting are recommended. Clinicians can consult a guideline, published by the Paediatric Association of the Netherlands (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Kindergeneeskunde), titled 'Evaluation of (alleged) child sexual abuse'. Furthermore, advice can also be obtained from Dutch organisations such as Veilig Thuis, het Landelijk Expertise Centrum Kindermishandeling and the Sexual Assault Center (Centrum Seksueel Geweld).