Social exchange framework is applied to Summit's Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome, which describes a common pattern of interaction and response among child victims of sexual abuse, their caretakers, and the adult offenders. Using the principle of cost and rewards, the author analyzes the five components of the syndrome: (1) secrecy; (2) helplessness; (3) entrapment and accommodation; (4) delayed, conflicted, and unconvincing disclosure; and (5) retraction. Exchange principles show that all components reflect the least unprofitable of the limited options perceived by victims. Exchange perspectives could be applied to other aspects of family violence. For example, this discussion suggests the potential usefulness of the exchange framework for analyzing other aspects of child abuse, such as the Finkelhor's Four Preconditions Model of Sexual Abuse, and the high recidivism rate among offenders. References