Article révisé par les pairs
Résumé : Symptoms found in children who suffer sexual abuse in their families are varied and complex. The question cannot be reduced to a simplistic scheme of cause and effect. A review of the literature provides an overview of the diversity of symptoms in incest. The disorders may be psychological, cognitive, intellectual, behavioural, inter-personal, physical or psychosomatic - sexual abuse brings forth a multitude of lasting disorders. That said, apart from disorders in the sexual field, there are no specific incest symptoms. Starting from our clinical research (Houtman inter-university research fund, Belgium, 'sexual abuse and children) we have tried to present the shades and hues of the problem. Our study may be of use to those who work with abused children.