Sexual abuse of children--a review.

Child molestation, in and out of the family, is becoming a much better recognized serious and complex problem. General practitioners, paediatricians and casualty officers are often the first health professionals to be aware of these situations. Guidelines are given on how to recognize the presenting symptoms and how to deal with the situation holistically. The latter includes physical and psychological management of the victim, dealing with the family in this type of crisis, and a therapeutic rather than punitive approach towards the perpetrator.