Sexual abuse of children--a hospital-based study.

Eighty-eight cases of suspected sexual abuse of a child were investigated at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital during 1985. Twenty cases of rape, 15 of incest and 7 of sexual interference were confirmed; but 47% of cases remained unconfirmed. All social strata were affected and victims ranged from 10 months to 13 years in age. An increase in the numbers of victims seen is ascribed to the vigilance of a child abuse team. Implementation of the Child Care Act No. 74 of 1983, which makes notification of suspected abuse compulsory, will inundate social welfare agencies with cases for investigation. Community-based studies of child abuse are needed to plan necessary expansion of staff.