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Sexual Abuse

Sexual Abuse

Sexual Abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.

Perpetrators of Sexual Abuse are usually adults known to the child, or family members. Such abuse by a family member often occurs over an extended period of time and may develop in its form and severity over time.

The effects on a child vary and can be dependent on factors such as:

  • The age of the child;
  • The physical severity of the abuse;
  • The extent of the period over which the abuse occurred;
  • Threats or coercion which may be associated with the abuse.

Sexual Abuse can produce a range of disturbed behaviour in a child including:

  • Self harm;
  • Inappropriate sexualised behaviour;
  • Regressive behaviour, such as soiling or wetting;
  • Sadness or depression;
  • Loss of self-esteem;
  • Eating disorders;
  • Sleep disturbance.

Each of these types of behaviour can also be present in children where Sexual Abuse has not occurred.

Children who have been sexually abused may also sustain injuries or infections to the genital, anal or oral areas. Pregnancy can also be the result of Sexual Abuse.

However in many cases of Sexual Abuse there is no physical sign or evidence of the abuse.

Children of either gender can be the victim of Sexual Abuse. Where a girl within a family has been sexually abused by a family member it is not safe to assume that boys within the household are not at risk of Sexual Abuse, or vice versa.

It is not possible to identify types of individuals who might be more likely to sexually abuse, although the majority are male. Females however can sexually abuse children or collude with males in such abuse.

Similarly it is not possible to identify a type of family where Sexual Abuse is more likely to occur.

Any report of Sexual Abuse made by a child should always be taken seriously and investigated.

Last Updated: June 3, 2025

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