A retrospective review of 77 cases of sexual abuse of boys was undertaken by the author. An examination was made of the relationship of length of abuse to suicidal ideation reported by or of the boy. Seven subjects reported suicidal ideation but no actual attempts were reported. Suicidal thoughts were clearly associated with the length of abuse. More than 50% of those with ideation fell within the long-term abuse category (more than 6 months); the rest were within the intermediate category.