In addition, research that omits consideration of race or ethnicity may not have conclusions that are generalizable. Researchers, clinicians, and theorists all recognize the needs for broad definitions of child sexual abuse and for a focus on the specific actions that have occurred and the relationships between the people involved. The private nature of family life, coupled with problems in current reporting systems, make it impossible to determine how often children are sexually abused by parents or other relatives. In addition, the available data provide little or no information about child sexual abuse within population subgroups. Efforts to understand the problem of child sexual abuse will probably be most useful if they combine existing perspectives and integrate or borrow theories from other fields. Finally, treatment professionals need to understand the family's culture, to communicate respect, and to provide flexible and reinforcing treatment. 80 references.