This article is a brief overview of the data on the characteristics of abused children and the psychological sequelae of abuse. The relationship between abuse and the sex of the child, age of the child, the child's ordinal position in the family, bonding failure, congenital handicap and temperament are explored within the context of conflicting views. The available data concerning the sequelae of abuse for the child e.g. intelligence and personality are critically reviewed.
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