The following is my contribution to Lois Einhorn’s book, Forgiveness and Child Abuse, Would YOU Forgive (Robert D. Reed Publishers, 2006). I was included because I was Lois’ therapist when her memories surfaced. Others among fifty three contributors include: Mumia Abu-Jamal, Patch Adams, M.D., Edward Asner, Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, Laura Davis, Thomas Eagleton, Albert Ellis, Lynne Finney, Linda Hogan, Daniel Quinn, Pete Seeger, Bernie Siegel, M.D., Gerry Spence, and Kenneth Wapnick. Autographed copies of the book are available at a discount through the author‘s website, http://loiseinhorn.com

Once viewed as a relatively-infrequent problem, the sexual abuse of children is now seen as a major societal problem in terms of its prevalence and its consequences for both the victim and the family.  The increase in reporting of these events is likely a function of the interaction of several important factors.  Research has provided the necessary methodology and empirical evidence to identify some of the associated risk factors and manifestations of sexual abuse such that detection and identification by professionals and family members is more-readily accomplished.  The purpose of this paper is to focus on some of the more-important issues involved in evaluation and treatment of child sexual abuse.