April 27, 1984

A national conference on the sexual abuse of children opened this morning with a startling disclosure by a United States Senator, Paula Hawkins. She told a crowded hearing that she had been abused when she was a child by a ''neighbor, a man around the corner.'' Senator Hawkins, who is 57 years old, said after the morning session in the Sheraton National Hotel here that except for her mother, ''I have never told anyone till now, not even my husband.'' Her comments came during a hearing by the Senate Chidren's Caucus, the first program on the agenda of the Third National Conference on Sexual Victimization of Children. It is being conducted by the division of child protection of the Children's Hospital National Medical Center in Washington.

Compagnie Financi ere de Paribas, the big French bank, may take complete control of A. G. Becker Paribas Inc. by purchasing the employee- owned shares of the Wall Street investment firm, Becker officials said yesterday. Paribas, which was the largest private bank in France before it was nationalized by the Socialist Government, already owns just over half of Becker; employees own the rest. If the Paribas purchase is made, it would culminate a string of moves that has given Becker's French partner increasing control of the 91-year- old American firm, which has recently suffered from uneven profits and several personnel upheavals. ''In the long run, having Paribas own all of Becker should eliminate some of the turmoil, maybe not immediately, but over a period of time,'' said Perrin H. Long Jr., an industry analyst with Lipper Analytical Services Inc. Increase of Capital Funds In a letter distributed yesterday to the firm's shareholders, Herve M. Pinet, chairman of Becker's board, said there had been ''discussions with Paribas to further enhance the capital strength of the firm.''

President Reagan sent Congress four bills today intended to help detect and prosecute people involved in international terrorism. The package includes prison terms of up to 10 years and large fines and forfeitures for people who provide training, ''support services'' and similar assistance to nations or groups found by the Secretary of State to be involved in terrorism. 'Essential We Act Immediately' President Reagan, in a written statement released by the White House today while he was in China, said, ''It is essential that we act immediately to cope with this menace and to increase cooperation with other governments in dealing with this growing threat to our way of life.'' But although Mr. Reagan said the proposed legislation ''is an important step in our war against terrorism,'' not everyone agreed.

Kathy Boudin, in a dramatic reversal, pleaded guilty today to murder and robbery charges in the 1981 Brink's holdup in which a guard and two police officers were slain. Miss Boudin, speaking in a low, firm voice, told of her role in the Rockland County robbery and killings and of her remorse over the consequences. ''I feel terrible about the lives that were lost,'' she told Judge David S. Ritter. ''I have led a life of commitment to political principles, and I think I can be true to those principles without engaging in violent acts.'' 20 Years to Life Judge Ritter said he would sentence the 40-year-old Miss Boudin next Thursday to 20 years to life in prison. Since Miss Boudin has already spent three years in prison, she will be eligible for parole in 2001.

An article in Metropolitan Report on April 13 about a new center for advanced studies in journalism at Columbia University incorrectly described plans for its administration. The Gannett Foundation will establish and operate the center, at a cost of $15 million over five years.