Child abuse represents a key site in which unequal and gendered power relations are played out, and as such has long been of particular concern to feminists. This book offers a re-evaluation of mainstream and feminist approaches to understanding the theories and research issues relating to women and child sexual abuse. Women and Child Sexual Abuse critically examines our current perceptions of child sexual abuse, from the media's representation of women, abuse and mental illness, to the ways in which it is spoken about and understood by the traditional approaches taken within psychology and psychiatry. This thorough investigation of this emotive issue considers the damaging implications of these attitudes for our understanding of the gender roles and femininity, and argues for the redefinition of our concerns and a refocusing of our current methods of intervention. This book will be of interest to clinical psychologists, therapists and other professionals working with children and adults that have been sexually abused.