RITUALISTIC CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

Ritualistic sexual abuse is a term used to describe sexual abuse linke d to symbolic or group clandestine activities with overtones of religi ous, magical, or satanic intent. Reports such as these have increased dramatically in the United States over the last two decades, as have r eports of group child sexual abuse in general. This literature review is designed to elucidate terminology used and to describe common featu res of these accounts, probe the dilemmas surrounding credibility and verifiability in these cases, and provide recommendations for improved evaluation and appropriate action when similar situations arise in th e future. Supreme attention must be paid to the victims and their fami lies, as more traumatic types of abuse may present a far more difficul t path to recovery for both generations.