CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
- Sexual abuse doesn’t have to hurt or cause observable harm – it’s still abuse.
- Even if a child is willing – it’s still abuse.
One important thing to remember when we are talking about sexual abuse, is that the abuse doesn’t have to cause observable harm or hurt the child for it to be abuse.
It also doesn’t matter whether the child took part willingly or not. It’s still abuse.
Paedophiles often try and justify their abuse of children by calling themselves “child lovers” or talking about “adult – child” relationships.
Sexual abuse also doesn’t have to involve physical contact with the child. So sexual abuse can be talked about as ‘contact’ or 'non-contact'.
We will talk firstly about contact sexual abuse.
1. touching or fondling of sexual areas or in a sexual manner
2. kissing in a sexual manner
3. oral sex or vaginal or anal intercourse
4. vaginal or anal penetration with object or finger