The study assessed local needs for a facility providing evaluations for sexual assault victims under age 17 in Hillsborough County, Fla. The subjects came to the Pediatric Emergency Room of the Tampa General Hospital with complaints of sexual abuse, and their cases were recorded and reviewed by use of a protocol. Of the total victims, 89 percent (940) were female and 11.2 percent (119) were males. Victims were 1.58 times as likely to be black, 0.22 times as likely to be Latin, and 0.96 times as likely to be white than the general population. The average age for all children was 8.3 years. The subjects reported 1,109 perpetrators. Information concerning perpetrators was not available in 198 cases. Perpetrators were strangers in 13.8 percent of cases and close family (incest) in 28.1 percent of cases. A major finding is that 58.1 percent of the perpetrators were known to the child, but were not family members. Males perpetrated 885 of all episodes, while females accounted for 26 episodes. These episodes were severe, with penetration occurring in 754 (71 percent) of the assaults, and with positive cultures in 1.5 percent of all cases. The medical and social response to these children's needs is noted to be inadequate. Tabular data and 22 references. (Author abstract modified)