Twenty-three child victims (aged 10-18 years) of sexual abuse were interviewed about the victimization process, the person who abused them, and how abuse might have been prevented. Specific questions obtained information about the quality of the relationship between victim and offender, the offender's pre-abuse behavior, the explanation for the behavior given by the offender, and the child's understanding of the behavior. In the area of prevention, one aspect of victimization which appears amenable to educational efforts is the justification for sexual contact given by offenders. However, the most insidious and powerful component of offender strategy is the least amenable to education: children's vulnerability of adult attention. 5 references. (Author abstract modified)