Child sexual abuse. 1: Definitions, incidence and consequences

Abstract

It is estimated that over 6600 children under the age of 16 years are sexually abused each year in England and Wales (NSPCC, 1990). Of these incidents, 78% involve female children and 22% male children. The effects on the child range from self-mutilating behaviour and dissociative disorders to suicide. Consequently, nurses caring for victims of sexual abuse need to be aware of the trauma involved.