To investigate socio-demographic and clinical trials of 19 sexually abused children.

Statistical analysis with SPSS of data on psychiatric and pediatric care of sexually abused children, aged 2-12 years old, treated at the Pediatric Service of University of Campinas-Brazil Clinical Hospital in 2007.

From a total of 19 children, 2 (10.5%) were boys and 17 (89.5%) girls. The average age group was 7.4 years. Eleven (57.9%) attended regular school, one (5.3%) attended special school, one (5.3%) pre-school and six (31.5%) did not attend any school. Regarding ethnicity, 11 (57.9%) children were white and eight (42.1%) non-white. The abuse was committed with physical threats in nine (47.4%) cases, without threats in two (10.5%). Eight children were unable to define physical threat. The abuse occurred only once in 10 (52.6%) cases and several times in nine (47.4%). Prior psychiatric treatment occurred in two (5.3%) children and psychological treatment in six (31.6%). Twelve (63.2%) children had never attended psychological or psychiatric consultations. Eleven (57.9%) children received a psychiatric diagnosis and referral for treatment. In 13 (68.4%) attendance was diagnosed in the Z-code of the International Classification of Diseases-10. Family and people close to children appear as abusers in 15 cases (78.9%).

Despite the small sample, this study supports the literature in which child sexual abuse appears as a phenomenon more frequent in girls, dysfunctional families, and practiced mainly by family members or close friends of children. The relationship with psychiatric disorders was also highlighted.