CHILDREN WHO ARE SEXUALLY ABUSED SHOULD BE TREATED THROUGH CRISIS INTERVENTION COUNSELING. THE PARENTS, AS WELL AS THE CHILD, ARE IN NEED OF PSYCHOLOGICAL TREATMENT. IF THE CHILD IS TREATED IMMEDIATELY AND PROPERLY, THERE WILL PROBABLY BE NO SEVERE EMOTIONAL SCARS; BUT IF THE ABUSE IS LONG-TERM AND AT THE HANDS OF ANOTHER MEMBER OF THE FAMILY, THE EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS ARE MORE SEVERE. THE CHILD HAS TO BE PROTECTED FROM THE ABUSER AS WELL. PROTECTION BY THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS NOT VERY GOOD BECAUSE THERE IS RARELY SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE TO TRY A CASE, AND THE CHILD RISKS FURTHER PSYCHOLOGICAL TRAUMA INVOLVED IN A TRIAL. GUIDELINES ARE GIVEN EXPLAINING WHAT PARENTS SHOULD DO WHEN A CHILD REPORTS AN INCIDENT AND HOW TO HELP THE CHILD. THE MOST COMMON IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS OF SEXUALLY MOLESTED CHILDREN ARE LISTED, AND DATA ON SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN ARE PRESENTED IN OUTLINE FORM. (BAC)