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SUMMARY
The effect of sexual abuse on children has been found to be highly variable. This study examines the symptomatology of 100 children who have been sexually abused, including the incidence of problematic sexual behaviors. Emotional and behavioral symptoms were measured using two symptom scales: internalizing and externalizing. Results revealed that younger children experienced significantly more internalizing and externalizing symptoms as compared with older children. Thirty percent of the sample did exhibit problematic sexual behaviors, and all of these children were under the age of 13. Finally, children who did exhibit problematic sexual behaviors scored significantly higher on both the internalizing and externalizing symptom scales as compared with children who did not exhibit these behaviors. These findings suggest that young children who display sexual behavior problems are not only the most symptomatic of the sexually abused, but may be at significant risk of becoming sexual offenders themselves. Early identification and effective treatment of these victims may prevent the victimization of other children, perhaps interrupting the cycle of sexual abuse.