The importance of identifying a history of sexual abuse is now well recognized by doctors who know that the problem may lie behind a presentation of physical illness, relationship problems, unhappiness or sexual and psychological difficult ies. It is, however, impossible to say accurately how often sexual abuse is a factor, because in so many cases it is not acknowledged consciously, or is hidden away where it is inaccessible without skilled help. The majority of the books on sexual abuse have been written from particular standpoints. There are now many such books for social workers who are...