Evidence presented in the literature indicates that sexual abuse is a significant problem with serious long-term sequelae. The specific effects of sexual abuse -- independent of force, threat of force, or such family variables as parental psychopathology -- must still be clarified. Adult women with a history of childhood sexual abuse show greater evidence of sexual disturbance or dysfunction, homosexual experiences in adolescence or adulthood, and depression than nonabused women. Abused women are also more likely than nonabused women to be revictimized. Anxiety, fear, and suicidal ideas and behavior have also been associated with a history of childhood sexual abuse, but force and the threat of force in the sexual abuse may be a necessary concomitant. As yet, there is insufficient evidence of a relationship between a history of childhood sexual abuse and a postsexual abuse syndrome and multiple or borderline personality disorder. Male victims of child sexual abuse manifest disturbed adult sexual functioning. The relationship between age of onset of abuse and outcome is still equivocal. Greater long-term harm is associated with abuse that involves a father or stepfather and abuse that involves penetration. Longer duration is associated with greater impact, and the use of force or threat of force is associated with greater harm. 1 table, 52 references, and summaries in French and Spanish