HEALTH CARE PERSONNEL MUST RECOGNIZE THAT SEXUAL ABUSE MAY PRODUCE LONG-TERM EMOTIONAL CONSEQUENCES FOR THE CHILD AND THE FAMILY. OVERALL OBJECTIVES OF MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF THE SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILD ARE TO CARE FOR THE ACUTE MEDICAL PROBLEMS OF THE CHILD AND THE ACUTE EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS OF THE CHILD AND FAMILY; SAFEGUARD THE CHILD FROM THREAT OF FURTHER SEXUAL ABUSE; FORMULATE PLANS FOR COMPREHENSIVE FOLLOWUP MEDICAL AND PSYCHOLOGIC TREATMENT FOR CHILD AND FAMILY; AND COMPLY WITH ESTABLISHED LEGAL REQUIREMENTS. AN INTERVIEW WITH THE CHILD MAY PRECEDE OR BE PART OF THE EXAMINATION. IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT ALL VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT RECEIVE A MEDICAL EVALUATION, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION GIVEN TO ITEMS APPROPRIATE FOR THE PROPER DIAGNOSIS OF SEXUAL TRAUMA AND THE COLLECTION OF REQUIRED DATA AND SPECIMENS. A REVIEW OF LABORATORY TECHNIQUES IS GIVEN INCLUDING SUCH METHODS AS THE USE OF THE WOOD'S LAMP, STUDIES OF SPERM IDENTIFICATION, AND ABO/SEMEN TYPING. VENEREAL DISEASE PROPHYLAXIS AND PREGNANCY PREVENTION ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. THE CLINICAL MANAGEMENT OF SEXUAL ABUSE PRESENTED IN THE ARTICLE REFLECTS THE APPROACH DEVELOPED BY THE STAFF OF THE CHILD AND ADOLESCENT SEXUAL ABUSE RESEARCH CENTER AT THE CHILDREN'S HEALTH CENTER, SAN FRANCISCO GENERAL HOSPITAL. REFERENCES ARE GIVEN. (MJW)