The prevalence of a history of childhood sexual abuse in a series of admissions to a general psychiatric hospital was estimated. One hundred and twenty subjects were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire. Case notes were examined to determine previous documented disclosure, diagnosis, and rates of admission and deliberate self harm. Forty-six percent reported a history of childhood sexual abuse by questionnaire. Case note review revealed a rate of 14% of previously documented disclosure. The patterns of abuse broadly correspond with those usually reported as causing problems with adjustment in adult life. It may be concluded that a high proportion of psychiatric inpatients report a history of childhood sexual abuse many of whom have not disclosed this history to their psychiatrists.