ABSTRACT
When the sexual abuse of a child is discovered by professionals, it is a common requirement that the abuser and the child should be separated. Mothers are therefore commonly faced with a choice between their partner (if he is the known or suspected abuser) or another resident family member (e.g. son) on the one hand and the abused child on the other. If they are unwilling to exclude the former from the household, the abused child is likely to be received into care. Whether temporary or permanent separation from the abuser is expected depends on the treatment available for abusers and the degree of optimism about its effectiveness. In general the less the possibility of rehabilitating abusers with the rest of the family (if all wish this) is considered, the greater the expectations of mothers to make a long-term choice between abuser and child.
