The Dionne quintuplets, who drew world attention in the 1930's and became the subject of three Hollywood films, were sexually abused by their father for years, the three surviving sisters have charged on Canadian television and in a new book.

Annette, Cecile and Yvonne Dionne, now 61, made the allegation in an interview on the Radio-Canada television network in Montreal over the weekend. Asked why they had waited so long to break their silence, Yvonne spoke of their need to find "inner peace."

Annette said, "We've come to a point where we had to liberate ourselves from the past." Cecile added, "It's a long time, but that's normal for something so deep."

The three now live in the Montreal area. Yvonne never married. Annette and Cecile are divorced, and both now use their maiden names. The two other sisters -- Emilie and Marie -- are dead.