The objective of this work was to think over the sexual violence against children and adolescents, focusing on the nurses` performance regarding their professional practice and Brazilian legislation. This is a bibliographical study in which 31 publications covering the period from 2005 until 2008 were researched. Through content analysis, thematic modality, the knowledge characterization was obtained in three cores: attention towards children and adolescents' health, notification and professional qualifications. The nurse must be able to care of children and adolescents based on the laws that protect them, being an imperative for that the involvement of health services, class entities and universities.