A new clinic at Cheshire Medical Center offers specialised, less intimidating care for children and teenagers who may have experienced sexual abuse, expanding access to vital forensic and medical support.
Cheshire Medical Center has opened a new clinic in Keene aimed at children and teenagers who may have been sexually abused, widening access to specialist care in a setting designed to be less intimidating than a hospital emergency department.
The Compassionate Care and Advocacy Clinic will provide medical visits, forensic examinations and help connecting families with support services, according to Cheshire Medical Center. The hospital says the clinic is intended for paediatric and adolescent patients where there are concerns about sexual abuse, and it is working with Dartmouth Health Children’s Child Advocacy and Protection Programme and the Child Advocacy Centre of Cheshire County.
In practice, that means young patients can be assessed by specially trained providers in a child-friendly environment, with the option of a forensic exam if needed. Cheshire says the clinic also offers information for families, including a guide and frequently asked questions, as part of a broader effort to make care more accessible and less overwhelming at a distressing time.
The move fits a wider pattern at Cheshire Medical Center, which has been expanding its response to sexual violence and abuse. In recent coverage on its website, the hospital described adding a compassionate care advocate to support victims and survivors, alongside its medical forensic care team, and said it was launching a peer support group for survivors of domestic and sexual violence. The new clinic extends that approach to children and teens, bringing assessment, advocacy and referrals under one umbrella.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
