Primary Care Lunch and Learn: Care Center: Age of Consent
03-12-2026
By Paul McPherson, MD FAAP , Director, Children At Risk Evaluation Center, Akron Children's
Objectives (Educational Content) :
1. Discuss the epidemiology of Child Sexual Abuse.
2. Explain how children’s evolving cognitive, emotional, and communication abilities shape the ways they disclose sexual abuse.
3. Describe the legal responsibilities of mandated reporters and outline Ohio’s age‑of‑consent laws.
Target Audience:
General pediatricians, family physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, social workers, psychologists, and nurses.
Identified Gap:
Many clinicians and professionals involved in child safety and mandated reporting lack consistent understanding of the epidemiology of child sexual abuse, the ways children’s developmental stages influence how they communicate or disclose abuse, and the specific legal obligations required under Ohio’s age-of-consent and mandated-reporting statutes. These gaps can lead to missed or delayed recognition of abuse, misinterpretation of children’s verbal or behavioral cues, and uncertainty regarding when and how to report concerns. Education is needed to strengthen providers’ knowledge of abuse patterns, improve their ability to interpret and respond to children’s disclosures in developmentally appropriate ways, and ensure accurate, timely fulfillment of legal reporting responsibilities.
Estimated Time to Complete the Educational Activity:
1 hour(s)
Expiration Date for CE/CME Credit:
03-11-2027
Method of Participation in the Learning Process:
The learner will view the presentation, successfully complete a post-test and complete an activity evaluation.
Evaluation Methods:
All learners must successfully complete a post-test, as well as an activity evaluation, to claim CE/CME credit.
Disclosure:
The following presenter has indicated that no financial relationship with an ineligible company: The following planning committee member has indicated that a financial relationship with an ineligible company: All relationships have been mitigated. The remaining planning committee/CME committee members have indicated that they have no financial relationships with any ineligible companies.
Accreditation Statement:
Children’s Hospital Medical Center of Akron is accredited by the Ohio State Medical Association to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
CHMCA designates this enduring material activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit TM. Physicians should only claim the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Bibliography:
1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children’s Bureau. (2025). Child maltreatment 2024. https://www.acf.hhs.gov.
2. Lemaigre, C., et al. Barriers and facilitators to disclosing sexual abuse in childhood and adolescence: A systematic review. Child Abuse and Neglect. 2017. 70; 39-52.
3. London, K., Bruck, M., Ceci, S. J., & Shuman, D. W. (2005). Disclosure of child sexual abuse: What does the research tell us about the ways that children tell? Psychology, Public Policy, and Law, 11(1), 194–226. https://doi.org/10.1037/1076-8971.11.1.194
