Reflex anal dilatation
Encyclopedia
Reflex anal dilatation is the reflex
ive dilation of the human anus
to a diameter greater than two centimeters in response to the parting of the buttocks or anal stimulation, such as brushing with a medical instrument. RAD was theorized to be a clinical marker associated with anal sexual assault
in children, and has been associated with other signs of sexual assault but also appears in children with severe chronic constipation
and those subject to invasive medical treatments of the anus. The finding of RAD alone is not considered indicative of sexual abuse
, and a normative sample of children not suspected of having been sexually abused found that a significant number of children showed anal dilatation either continuously or intermittently.
Used extensively in the Cleveland child abuse scandal
, it was discredited during the trial as the sole indication of sexual abuse, determined to be considered a sign of sexual assault by a tiny minority of British physicians. RAD is now considered discredited.
Reflex
A reflex action, also known as a reflex, is an involuntary and nearly instantaneous movement in response to a stimulus. A true reflex is a behavior which is mediated via the reflex arc; this does not apply to casual uses of the term 'reflex'.-See also:...
ive dilation of the human anus
Anus
The anus is an opening at the opposite end of an animal's digestive tract from the mouth. Its function is to control the expulsion of feces, unwanted semi-solid matter produced during digestion, which, depending on the type of animal, may be one or more of: matter which the animal cannot digest,...
to a diameter greater than two centimeters in response to the parting of the buttocks or anal stimulation, such as brushing with a medical instrument. RAD was theorized to be a clinical marker associated with anal sexual assault
Sexual assault
Sexual assault is an assault of a sexual nature on another person, or any sexual act committed without consent. Although sexual assaults most frequently are by a man on a woman, it may involve any combination of two or more men, women and children....
in children, and has been associated with other signs of sexual assault but also appears in children with severe chronic constipation
Constipation
Constipation refers to bowel movements that are infrequent or hard to pass. Constipation is a common cause of painful defecation...
and those subject to invasive medical treatments of the anus. The finding of RAD alone is not considered indicative of sexual abuse
Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is the forcing of undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When that force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or molester...
, and a normative sample of children not suspected of having been sexually abused found that a significant number of children showed anal dilatation either continuously or intermittently.
Used extensively in the Cleveland child abuse scandal
Cleveland child abuse scandal
The Cleveland child abuse scandal occurred in Cleveland, England in 1987, where 121 cases of suspected child sexual abuse were diagnosed by Dr Marietta Higgs and Dr Geoffrey Wyatt, paediatricians at a Middlesbrough hospital...
, it was discredited during the trial as the sole indication of sexual abuse, determined to be considered a sign of sexual assault by a tiny minority of British physicians. RAD is now considered discredited.