The only criterion for inclusion in the study was that subjects experienced some type of sexual abuse (contact or noncontact) prior to 17 years of age. Subjects were grouped by gender. Due to the significantly larger number of females who responded compared to females, models were developed for female subjects and male subjects independently, using the same measures. Subjects were questioned about their abuse experience and were administered the Severity of Abuse Scale and the Trauma Symptom Checklist-33. Findings show that without exception, the severity of the sexual abuse itself was the strongest predictor that accounted for the most variation in long-term trauma symptomatology. Level of severity accounted for the most variation for both men and women for each of the five measures of trauma symptoms (dissociation, anxiety, depression, sexual dysfunction, and sleep disturbance). The most severe level of sexual abuse was associated with significantly more long-term distress than other levels of abuse in both men and women. Differences and similarities between the findings for men and women are discussed. 1 table and 49 references