RESULTS OF INVESTIGATIONS SHOW THAT: 'VICTIMIZED' CHILDREN FREQUENTLY ENCOURAGE OR EVEN ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN THE CRIMINAL ACTS, THE ADULT OFFENDER IS USUALLY RELATED OR KNOWN TO THE CHILD, THE INTENSITY OF THE SEXUAL OFFENSE IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE DEGREE OF TRUST BETWEEN THE OFFENDER AND THE VICTIM, AND MOST CRIMES OF THIS SORT ARE NEVER REPORTED. VICTIMS ARE TYPICALLY GIRLS (50 PERCENT UNDER 10 YEARS OLD) FROM UNSTABLE, POVERTY-STRICKEN, LOWER-CLASS FAMILIES WHO HAVE A HISTORY OF EMOTIONAL NEGLECT AND COMPENSATORY SEXUAL ACTIVITY OR ON THE OTHER HAND, ARE WELL-BEHAVED, OVERPROTECTED CHILDREN WITH A STRONG SEXUAL CURIOSITY WHICH REMAINS UNSATISFIED IN THE HOME ENVIRONMENT; IN EITHER CASE PREVIOUS EARLY SEXUAL EXPERIENCE, OFTEN WITH CONTEMPORARIES, IS COMMON. VICTIM TYPES ARE OFTEN CHARACTERIZED BY A MIXTURE OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND PERSONALITY FACTORS CITED. PREVENTION IS BEST ACHIEVED THROUGH MAINTENANCE OF A NORMAL HOME ENVIRONMENT, SEXUAL ENLIGHTENMENT FROM AN EARLY AGE, AND TRAINING IN HOW TO DEAL WITH DANGEROUS SITUATIONS WITHOUT PANIC. PSYCHOLOGICAL DAMAGE TO A YOUNG VICTIM, WHICH OFTEN IS NOT MANIFESTED UNTIL MUCH LATER AND WHICH MAY BE AGGRAVATED IF THE CHILD IS PLACED IN AN OUTSIDER POSITION BY THE REACTION OF HIS ENVIRONMENT CAN BE AVOIDED WITH SPECIAL FAMILY COUNSELING. LONG-LASTING CRIMINAL PROCEEDINGS TEND TO INCREASE THE YOUNGSTER'S GUILT FEELINGS. TO BE RECOMMENDED ARE LAWS SIMILAR TO THOSE IN ISRAEL WHICH PROTECT CHILDREN FROM EXTENSIVE COURT TESTIMONY REQUIREMENTS AND FROM EXCESSIVE PUBLIC EXPOSURE. NINETY-NINE REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. --IN GERMAN (KMD)