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What is Sexual abuse?
The National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect defines child sexual assault as:
"Contacts or interactions between a child and an adult when the child is being used for sexual stimulation of the perpetrator or another person when the perpetrator or another person is in a position of power or control over the victim.”
Sexual abuse is any time that a child is engaged in a sexual situation with an older person. It can include actual physical contact, such as
fondling or rape, but it also includes making a child watch sexual acts or pornography, using a child in any aspect of the production of pornography, or making a child look at an adult's genitals.
The process of abuse...
Generally, sexual abuse does not occur at random, the first stage in child sexual abuse can be a series of subtle behaviors and statements which is often referred to as "grooming.”
Grooming is the process of desensitization that predators use on children to prepare and trick them into accepting sexual abuse. Children most at risk for grooming are children who have experienced a significant degree of emotional, social and economical disadvantage.
Generally, some form of relationship between the victim and the perpetrator is established prior to the initiation of sexual advances.
Tactics of sexual abusers
Paying attention to a child who appears emotionally needy
"Accidentally" or purposefully exposing themselves
Coming out of the bath, wearing shorts that allow a view of the genitals, openly praising nudity as "normal", etc.
Giving gifts, money, taking the child places, providing alcohol ordrugs
Physical contact such as wrestling, tickling, pats on the butt, etc.
Showing adult magazines or films, letting the child know he/she can come to you for sexual information or concerns
Telling the child that they need to examine the child’s body for some reason
Questions about the child's sexual development, fantasies, masturbation habits, or giving the child more information about sex than is appropriate for the child's age or developmental level
Staring at the child or looking at his/her body in a way that makes him/her uncomfortable.
What to look for
Behavior and physical indicators of abuse...
Child does not want to be around certain adults
Child suddenly acquires new unexplainable toys, money and clothes
Regressive behaviors (thumb sucking, bed wetting)
Fear of previously enjoyed people and places
Engaging in acting out or delinquent behaviors
Avoids any physical contact
Physical ailments (pain in stomach, or in anal/genital area)
Recurring vaginal or bladder infections
Oral, genital, or anal bleeding
Redness, swelling, itching, or trauma to the genital/anal area
Bloody, torn, or stained underpants or diapers
Pain when sitting or exercising
Pain during urination or defecation
Presence of sexually transmitted disease (STD/HIV)
