ABSTRACT
During the last decade, reports of child abuse have dramatically increased. Findings from the Second National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect indicate that sexual abuse reports nearly tripled, from 42,900 cases in 1980 to 138,000 cases in 1986. Additionally, many believe that sexual abuse remains significantly underreported. Research indicates that from 12% to 38% of women have been sexually abused in some way as children. 1 In the last 5 years, there also has been much greater public and professional awareness of this serious form of child maltreatment.
