Society has come a long way since the days when sexual abuse was a secret that victims carried in silent pain. Today, victims are encouraged to come forward and report their abuse and parents and professionals are becoming more aware of the need for protection and treatment. Mental health professionals have well developed intervention models for sexual offenders that seem effective in controlling the behavior that hurts children. But sometimes society has not been responsive to the need to provide meaningful treatment to help children overcome the effects of their abuse. On the one hand, policymakers have chosen to do nothing, realizing that victims will suffer the negative effects of sexual abuse. On the other hand, efforts need to be made to directly meet the service needs of larger numbers who are reporting abuse. It is recommended that treatment and prevention programs be made available throughout the United States. 53 references. (Author summary modified)