Women survivors of childhood sexual abuse

The prevalence of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) has been described as "shockingly frequent" in both Canada and the United States,with estimates ranging from 15-38% in the female population. Increasingly, research is uncovering the emotional, psychological and physical sequalae of this tragic situation. The implications of these findings have not been considered in the development of health policies particularily in the field of health promotion activities. Neither have the needs of women been considered in the delivery of women's health care. The result is that many women avoid routine and preventative services or suffer in silence when they do receive care.