Childhood Sexual Abuse

Studies of the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse have shown that significant proportions of adult men and women report childhood victimization (e.g., Finkelhor, Hotaling, Lewis, & Smith, 1990; Russell, 1986). Data from large national probability samples best illustrate the scope of the problem. From such a sample, Finkelhor et al. (1990) report that 27% of women and 16% of men reveal victimization experiences i n childhood. Probability samples of local populations reveal comparable findings (e.g., Murphy, et a l , 1988; Russell, 1983). In a more targeted sample of community women, Wyatt (1985) found that 45% reported previous sexual abuse.