Although genital injury is not uncommon, it often elicits anxiety from parents of young, injured children. In childhood, the main cause of penetrating perineal injury is impalement. However, in every case of vaginal, anorectal, penile, or scrotal injury, sexual abuse must be ruled out.

There have been documented cases of impalement on broom or toilet-brush handles, pogo sticks, chair legs, bicycle seat poles, sprinklers, high jump bars, and tree branches.