The book defines and describes sexual abuse by mothers as experienced by adult women when they were children. The abuse included unwanted and persistent fondling of genitals and breasts, oral sexual contact, penetration of the rectum and vagina with fingers and objects, forcing the child to observe the mother's nudity and fondle her, and having sexual relations in the child's presence. The effects of such abuse for children include disproportionate mental and physical health problems as well as suicide rates. Such sexual abuse is typically hidden by the victims because the general public, other family members, as well as many professionals are not disposed to believe that such abuse occurs or, if it does, that it is a prevalent or significant problem. The author questions whether current laws and prevention programs adequately address sexual abuse by females/mothers. She further questions whether current medical, mental-health assessment, and criminal investigation protocols for child abuse and neglect address the possibility of female/mother perpetrators. In the area of treatment, professionals may not be trained to recognize and treat sexual abuse by females. 14 references and an appended discussion of mother/son incest