The child from birth is growing, evolving, changing physically, cognitively, and psychologically. He/she is mastering a sense of belonging. Recent knowledge about childhood growth and development has changed the notion of the child as a blank slate to be filled in and shaped by parents, environment, and community. "Executive processes" emerge by age 11. These relate past experiences and future possibility to the present. The child selects his/her own strategies for solving problems. Sexually abused children do not have their needs for caring and protection met, thus increasing their sense of fear and vulnerability. This affects self-confidence, communication, and relationships with peers and adults. Guilt may also emerge to foster low self-esteem. With sexually-abused adolescents, there is grief over loss of virginity, feelings of abnormality and of being "dirty," and a sense of being misunderstood. There is risk of suicide, substance abuse, and running away. 23-item bibliography