Because There Is A Way To Prevent
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Copyright 1998 STOP IT NOW! Reprinted with permission.

What Is Child Sexual Abuse?

What Exactly Is Child Sexual Abuse?

If you're not sure exactly what child sexual abuse is, you're not alone. Only half of the people called in a recent survey could define it.

Child sexual abuse is sexual activity with a child, an adolescent, or an older child. When any adult engages in sexual activity, that is child sexual abuse. It is a crime in 50 states. When sexual activity involves another child or an adolescent, it is not always so clear. Some kinds of sexual behavior among children might be innocent explorations rather than abuse.

Child Sexual Abuse Includes Touching AND Non-Touching Behaviors

Touching behaviors include:

• Touching a child's genitals (penis, testicules, vulva, breasts, or anus) for sexual pleasure or other unnecessary reason.
• Making a child touch someone else's genitals, or playing sexual ("pants-down") games.
• Putting objects or body parts (like fingers, tounge or a penis) inside the vulva or vagina, in the mouth, or in the anus of a child for sexual pleasure or other unnecessary reason.

Non-Touching behaviors include:

• Showing pornography to a child.
• Exposing a person's genitals to a child.
• Photographing a child in sexual poses.
• Encouraging a child to watch or hear sexual acts either in person or on a video.
• Watching a child undress or use the bathroom, often without the child's knowledge (known as voyeurism or being a "Peeping Tom").

Copyright 1998 STOP IT NOW!
Reprinted with permission.
www.stopitnow.com