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This article reports on a retrospective study of cases of child sexual abuse complaints made against clergy, other employed pastoral staff, and volunteers in the Anglican Church of Australia between 1990 and 2008. There were 191 allegations of sexual abuse made by 180 complainants against 135 individuals. Twenty-seven of those 135 had more than one complaint made against them. Three-quarters of all complainants were male. The most likely explanation for the large proportion of abused males is that the church gives many more opportunities for abusers to be alone with boys than with girls. Prevention strategies need to focus on reducing the opportunities for abuse to occur as well strategies concerning the recruitment of professional staff and volunteers. (Contains 5 tables.)

A follow-up study of 103 Australian individuals (Ages 14-25) who were sexually abused, found they performed more poorly than controls on measures of depression, self-esteem, anxiety, behavior, and despair. They were also more likely to have a history of bingeing, smoking, and using amphetamines. Potential risk factors are discussed. (Contains references.) (Author/CR)

Comparison of mothers whose children had been sexually abused by others and 65 control mothers concerning sexual abuse in their own childhood found that 34% of mothers of sexually abused children gave a history of sexual abuse in their own childhood, compared with 12% of control mothers. (Author/DB)

Analysis of 38 children under 2 with subdural hematomas found the most common causes were nonaccidental injury (55%), accidents (39%), and nontraumatic causes (6%). Also, the frequent presence of retinal hemorrhages, bone and rib fractures, delay in presentation, and young age suggests child abuse as the most common cause of these injuries. (Author/DB)

Twenty-four abused children, judged unable to participate in a public school setting due to developmental delays and abnormal behaviors, attended a therapeutic preschool for physically and sexually abused children from 1985-88. Most children made developmental gains at a faster-than-expected rate, and over 79 percent were staffed into the public school system after 12 months in the program. (DB)

A literature review on treatment of physically abused children and physically abusive parents is presented. A variety of treatments is documented, with the most popular for children being therapeutic daycare emphasizing improving developmental skills. Although most programs demonstrated some improvement with treatment, many included no or very short follow-up to determine sustained improvement. (Author/PB)

Compared with 37 nonabused matched children (4-14 years old), 37 abused Ss reported fewer friendships and less ambition regarding future occupations. Scores on the Piers-Harris Self Concept Scale were significantly lower for abused Ss. (CL)

Discusses the physical, psychological, and developmental consequences of physical abuse, nonorganic failure to thrive, and sexual abuse. (RJC)

The assessments of 79 parents regarding the extent of their children's developmental handicaps were compared with the findings of a professional assessment team. (Author/DLS)

Guidelines are offered for child protection workers who are appearing in court as expert witnesses. Guidelines include be objective, be accurate, stick to the area of expertise, don't get manipulated by lawyers, don't be greedy, and maintain one's expert witness work as a minor part of one's professional activities. (JDD)