THE BACKGROUND OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE--ITS DEFINITION AND RELATIONSHIP TO CHILD ABUSE IN GENERAL--IS DISCUSSED. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN AND THEIR ABUSERS ARE DESCRIBED. CASE STUDIES ILLUSTRATE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL REPERCUSSIONS SUFFERED BY BOTH. REASONS FOR ABUSE, PARTICULARLY IN SITUATIONS INVOLVING FATHERS AND DAUGHTERS, ARE CONSIDERED. CHILDREN'S LACK OF LEGAL RIGHTS IN NEGLECT AND DEPENDENCY HEARINGS, SUCH AS THOSE HELD TO DETERMINE WHETHER A CHILD IS BEING ABUSED, IS NOTED. CHARACTERISTICS OF FAMILIES WITHIN WHICH SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN TAKES PLACE ARE DESCRIBED. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IS MORE VISIBLE, BUT NOT NECESSARILY MORE COMMON, AMONG LOWER-INCOME FAMILIES. THE LEGAL SYSTEM'S TREATMENT OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE--REPORTING LAWS, POLICE INVESTIGATIONS, VICTIM ASSISTANCE--IS SURVEYED, WITH PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAM, THE ONLY TREATMENT PROGRAM IN THE UNITED STATES ESTABLISHED TO DEAL SPECIFICALLY WITH CHILD VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE. SEVERAL STEPS FOR COMBATING CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE ARE SUGGESTED: DESTROYING THE INCEST TABOO, WHICH SERVES ONLY TO PREVENT REPORTING AND TREATMENT; COORDINATING THE EFFORTS OF ALL AGENCIES INVOLVED IN SEXUAL ABUSE CASES; ESTABLISHING PROGRAMS, SUCH AS THAT IN SANTA CLARA COUNTY, DESIGNED TO MEET THE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, AND LEGAL NEEDS OF SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES; AND STANDARDIZING STATE LAWS AND REGULATIONS REGARDING THE SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN. A BIBLIOGRAPHY AND A LIST OF PERSONS AND ORGANIZATIONS CONTACTED IN THE PREPARATION OF THE REPORT ARE INCLUDED. (LKM)