The first four articles establish a frame of reference and theoretical basis for the volume by discussing attitudes toward adult-child sexual relations, the psychosexual development of the family, and difficulties in getting society to recognize that child sexual abuse is a serious problem. Subsequent papers review child protection and criminal statutes in the United States and compare criminal laws of Western and Eastern European countries. The section on psychodynamics and evaluation begins with a review of research on exhibitionists, rapists, and child molesters and a survey of the literature on dyadic types of incestuous relationships. Three papers give guidelines on assessing the sexually abused child and his or her family, describe an effective program for investigation and crisis intervention, the physician's role, and the purpose of the child psychiatric examination. Chapters in the treatment section are based on clinical experience. They examine technical and countertransference problems encountered by therapists, the concept of the incestuous family as a dysfunctional system, and a community intervention program that emphasizes multiple therapies, cooperation with the judicial system, and self-help groups. Papers on group psychotherapy highlight the importance of early intervention with young children and the emotional complexities of the co-therapy relationship when treating adolescent sexually abused girls. The final two papers explore the difficulties of assessing long-term effects of child sexual abuse and methodological problems in reports of short-term and long-term consequences of childhood sexual experiences with an adult. A bibliography of 55 references, an annotated list of audiovisual materials, and indexes by author and subject are supplied.