THE STATISTICS REVIEWED ARE FROM NEW YORK, N.Y.; POLK COUNTY, IOWA; AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD. THE STATISTICS INDICATE THAT CASES OF CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT ARE BEING REPORTED IN GREATER NUMBERS. THE POLICE BEAR A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY IN SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES BECAUSE THEY USUALLY ARE THE FIRST TO RESPOND TO THE SCENE. POLICE NEED TO ESTABLISH RAPPORT WITH YOUNG VICTIMS, TO UNDERSTAND THEIR MANNER OF EXPRESSION, AND TO BE SENSITIVE TO THE CHILD'S FRAME OF MIND DURING INTERVIEWS. OFFICERS SHOULD ALSO TRY TO SOLICIT THE COOPERATION OF THE PARENTS OF THE CHILD AND CAN BE INSTRUMENTAL IN HELPING PARENTS TO REALIZE THAT THE CHILD MUST BE HELPED NOT TO MISINTERPRET THE REACTIONS OF ADULTS. IN ADDITION TO RESPONDING TO THE NEEDS OF THE VICTIM AND THE FAMILY, THE POLICE OFFICER MUST TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS: COORDINATE WITH THE HOSPITAL AND PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE REGARDING THE SITUATION; DETERMINE WHETHER A SEX CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED AND SPECIFY THE CRIME; OBTAIN A DESCRIPTION OF THE SUSPECT; AND COMMUNICATE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CRIME AND THE SUSPECT. GUIDELINES FOR CARRYING OUT THESE ACTIVITIES, PARTICULARLY IN THE ABSENCE OF A SPECIAL SEXUAL ASSAULT UNIT, ARE OFFERED. THE WAYS IN WHICH POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE ALERTED TO SEXUAL ASSAULTS ON CHILDREN -- DIRECT REPORT, INDIRECT REPORT, REFERRAL REPORT, AND PROACTIVE REPORT -- ARE DISCUSSED AND ILLUSTRATED IN CASE EXAMPLES. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED.