The prevalence of a history of childhood sexual abuse in a series
of admissions to a general psychiatric hospital was estimated. One
hundred and twenty subjects were surveyed using a self-administered
questionnaire. Case notes were examined to determine previous
documented disclosure, diagnosis, and rates of admission and
deliberate self harm. Forty-six percent reported a history of
childhood sexual abuse by questionnaire. Case note review revealed a
rate of 14% of previously documented disclosure. The patterns of abuse
broadly correspond with those usually reported as causing problems
with adjustment in adult life. It may be concluded that a high
proportion of psychiatric inpatients report a history of childhood
sexual abuse many of whom have not disclosed this history to their
psychiatrists.