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.