S.A.F.E.'S

SAFE stands for Sexual Abuse Forensic Exam. It is a non-invasive physical examination. When a family is told their child needs a SAFE, they may have several questions. Below are some of the most common concerns.

Any allegation of penetration to anus or vagina should be referred for a SAFE.  Also any child who has signs of injury, pain, sores or rash in genital area or throat, bleeding should be referred for a SAFE.  All SAFEs at Lakeside have to be referred by Children’s Division or Law enforcement.  Parents may take their child to Children’s Mercy for a SAFE on their own.  The SAFE can reassure the child and the parent that they will be ok physically.

While the exam may be uncomfortable or feel strange, it should not be painful because it is non-invasive. It is not like a pelvic exam that adult women experience. The examiner will look at the genitalia and anus but does not insert anything.

A specially trained Doctor or Nurse Practitioner will perform the exam. We have a nurse practitioner at Lakeside Pediatrics who performs SAFEs. Children’s Mercy also performs SAFEs.

The exam itself will take 30 minutes or less. However the examiner will need to get an accurate medical and social history from the caregiver. Plan on being at the SAFE about one hour.

Prepare your child by telling them that they will be going for a Doctor visit to check everything out. Tell them the Doctor or nurse will check them out, head to toe but there will not be shots. Tell them the Doctor or nurse will look at their private parts but they will not hurt them and it is ok.

Not at all. Most cases of sexual abuse do not leave physical evidence. Unless the abuse caused scarring, bruising, lacerations, infections or occurred over an extended period time, the SAFE will probably be negative. However, this does not mean the abuse didn’t happen. Fondling or oral sex does not usually leave any scarring or tears and the anus is a very flexible muscle that will stretch without tearing.

The family will not be billed for the exam.