The recent upsurge of sexual abuse in child care settings suggests that these children and their families are in special need of preventive education. Presentations to young children are most likely to be understood and retained when they are given over a period several short sessions, using language and tools that will help them to pass the difficult concepts presented.

Basic training in child sexual abuse needs to be included in curricula in professional programs for all those who deal with abused children or their families.

Specialty training, perhaps leading to certification, is necessary for those whose work centers on child abuse (e.g., police officers, child protective service personnel, family court judges, and attorneys). The training should include discipline specific as well as cross discipline education and experience.

There is currently no degree that reflects specialty training in the area of child sexual abuse, and such training is only rarely a part of, professional degree programs. Nonetheless, those who deal with child sexual abuse come from a wide range of diverse professions.

It is especially important to minimize trauma and disruption when alleged victims of sexual abuse are under 5 years of age. Initial interviews should be conducted by those most qualified and experienced in working with preschool age victims, in settings that are nonthreatening and child oriented.

Despite recent advances in clinical assessment, medical evaluation, police interviewing techniques, and treatment strategies for preschool age victims, the biggest problems for children and professionals in this field occur after a child has been identified s sexually abused.