How is childhood sexual abuse defined?
Anyone who is coerced, manipulated, or threatened into sexually intimate contact before the age of 18 is considered a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, regardless of the relationship or age of the violator. If there are children residing in a home where they are being sexually active and an adult knowingly consents or ignores it that is also considered childhood sexual abuse. The level of contact may vary from forcing a child to watch pornography for the purpose of sexual gratification to violent penetration.
Are teenage mothers victims of sexual abuse?
Every state determines the age at which someone can legally consent to sex. In some states, the age is as low as 14 and in other states, the age is as high as 16. The laws exist out of an awareness that children, although they may be interested in sex as puberty develops, do not fully understand enough about themselves, their bodies, and the world to make conscious decisions about an activity that could affect them for life, such as HIV or conception, as well as psychological effects. It is illegal to have sex with a person who has not reached the age of consent. Therefore, a girl who gives birth under the age of consent is a survivor of childhood sexual abuse. However, age alone does not determine any particular level of trauma in adulthood.
What is the difference between incest and sexual abuse?
Incest is defined by the relationship between the victim and the violator of sexual abuse. Incest includes any type of familial relationship or role, including step-parents and siblings, relatives by marriage, foster or adopted parents and children as well as blood relatives. Incest does not mean that the relationship is consensual. Over 80% of childhood sexual abuse is incest. Using the term incest helps to dispel the myth that child abuse is most often perpetrated by strangers.
Does sexual abuse always involve sex?
No, sexual abuse is any behavior intended for sexual pleasure for the victim or the violator. It is not necessary for the violator or victim to penetrate the other or achieve orgasm. Sexual pleasure could be limited to kissing, fondling, caressing the body in an intimate way as well as penetration. It can also occur without touching at all. Encouraging or assisting a child to view sexual acts, or making sexual remarks about a child’s body may also be sexual abuse.
Is it abuse if the child willingly participated?
A child cannot offer sexual consent to an adult. Therefore, if the child engages in intimate contact with someone over the age of 18 or who is at least 4 years older than the victim, that is considered childhood sexual abuse. Moreover, anytime a child is forced into intimate acts, it is considered abuse, regardless of the age of the violator. For example, a 12-year-old girl can sexually abuse a 13-year-old boy by threatening to spread ugly rumors if he doesn't show her his genitals. However, if the boy willing shows his genitals to the girl, no sexual abuse has occurred because of equal consent and approximate age. However, where there is a legal age gap, there can be no consent.
Do some children ask to be abused?
No, no one wants to experience abuse. However, previous experience may make a child vulnerable to abuse. For example, children who feel isolated, unloved, or insignificant may lack the internal and external support to read danger signals or reach out if they sense they are in danger. Children who feel isolated or unloved may also engage in activities that make them vulnerable to abuse. However, adults are always responsible for keeping children safe, not taking advantage of a child’s vulnerability. Adults who do so are perpetrators of sexual abuse.