The guidelines were developed in response to the recognition that the Child Protective Services Act of 1973 established a reporting system designed to protect only the children who were abused by members of their immediate families and that the lack of guidelines and fear of litigation was hampering school personnel in taking action. The guidelines rest on the philosophy that all violence against children must be reported to the authorities and that the community at large has a moral responsibility to identify, create, and mobilize resources for both victims and victimizers. The manual lists and refutes common myths regarding child sexual abuse; describes symptoms and effects of abuse; and presents facts, statistics, and research. It also presents recommendations from clinicians and law enforcement personnel and a suggested reporting procedure. List of community services and resources, sections of New York State law, and 42 references.