This study set out to answer the research question: ‘What are the similarities and differences in the nature of abuse, patterns of disclosure and characteristics of the perpetrator between boys and girls attending a sexual assault referral centre (SARC) for a forensic medical examination?' Retrospective data collection was undertaken from paper case files of 986 service users (142 boys, 844 girls) who attended Saint Mary's SARC for a forensic medical examination (April 2012–March 2015). Demographic data as well as information on the context of the abuse were coded into a standardised digital format. Cross‐tabulation and Pearson's chi‐squared tests were performed to compare the abuse experienced and how abuse was disclosed by children of different genders and ages. Older children accounted for 20 per cent of the boys and 56 per cent of the girls. A higher proportion of girls attended the SARC after a single abusive episode; the abuse of boys was more frequently reported by a parental figure; and boys' abuse was reported later. Younger children were more likely to be abused in the family environment. Younger girls were more likely to experience abuse by a single perpetrator, whereas all boys reported multiple perpetrators. These findings suggest that the relationship between child sexual abuse (CSA) and gender is a complicated and nuanced one. Key Practitioner Messages Some gender differences in CSA may be due to professionals' perceptions. It is important to remain mindful that boys may present differently to girls. Care should be taken when interpreting these results. The majority of CSA is not disclosed nor identified. Where it is, few children receive a forensic medical examination. Practitioners need to be alert to this to safeguard children adequately. Future research can pursue how identified differences affect boys and girls, thereby enabling better support or protection for children.

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Kairika Karsna, senior research and evaluation officer at the Centre of Expertise on Child Sexual Abuse, on why we need to ensure that we are capturing and understanding all forms of sexual abuse