ABSTRACT
The problem of child sexual abuse in this country is now recognised as a major concern. This recognition has resulted from growing awareness, over the past ten to fifteen years, of the significant numbers of children that are sexually abused and the damaging effects that can occur as a result. A British study (Kelly et al. 1991) revealed that one in two girls and one in four boys are likely to experience some form of sexual abuse before reaching the age of eighteen. A number of studies have identified that the effects of sexual abuse can be severe, numerous and long lasting (Browne and Finkelhor 1986; Peters 1988). As we have come to more fully appreciate the prevalence of sexual abuse and its impact on victims, we have begun to recognise that prevention of sexual abuse must depend not only on the development of child safety programmes, but also on the extent to which we can stop abusers from committing these crimes.
