Attitudes of health professionals to child sexual abuse and incest.

While there has been increasing interest in the topic of child sexual abuse, few studies have focused on attitudes or the determinants of such attitudes held by professionals. To what extent concern is based on stereotyping or factual knowledge is not clear. The present study uses a combination of experimental and survey methodologies to address these issues. Sample case histories were issued to subjects who were then asked to complete a questionnaire on topics relating to the case and to incest in general. Results showed that the type of sexual activity involved influenced responses; type of relationship between adult and child, less so. Estimates of incest were low, but incest was considered, especially by female respondents, to be harmful to the victim.