Abstract
Objective: To analyze, according to the literature, the repercussions of sexual abuse and exploitation on children and adolescents, as well as to highlight the importance of professional nursing qualification and notifications regarding cases. Bibliographic review: Child sexual abuse and exploitation consists of violating the sexual rights of children and adolescents in a non-consensual and imposing manner, involving this population in inappropriate sexual activities for their physical and psychological maturity, bringing several repercussions on the individual's life, being pointed out as one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in Brazil, becoming a major public health problem. Therefore, the importance of nursing in addressing sexual abuse was observed, since it is the largest team in a health unit, assuming the leading role in addressing the theme, thus requiring scientific knowledge and domain to accurately notify cases. Final considerations: Child abuse and sexual exploitation of children cause severe behavioral and emotional disorders in the victim, ranging from substance abuse to self-destructive thinking. It is essential and urgent to qualify the nurse, as there is a mismatch between the nursing work to identify and notify abuses with the real needs of the child.