Child sexual abuse (CSA), also called child molestation, is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation.

What is sexual abuse? When a child or young person is sexually abused, they're forced, tricked or manipulated into sexual activities. They might not understand that what's happening is abuse or that it's wrong for the abuser to do this to them.

If an adult engages in any sexual behavior (looking, showing, or touching) with a child to meet the adult’s interest or sexual needs, it is sexual abuse. This includes the manufacture, distribution and viewing of child pornography.

Most often child sexual abuse is a gradual process and not a single event. By learning the early warning signs and how to effectively step in and speak up, sexual abuse can be stopped before it starts and a child is harmed.

It's important to understand that any sexual behavior by an adult with a child, whether it’s looking, showing, or touching, is sexual abuse. This also includes making, sharing, or watching child sexual abuse material (CSAM) , which used to be called child pornography.

Child abuse — whether it's physical, sexual, emotional, medical, or another type — can harm kids in many ways. Learn how to spot the signs of child abuse.

What is child abuse and neglect? Physical abuse is when a child is hit, slapped, beaten, burned or otherwise physically harmed. Like other forms of abuse, physical abuse usually continues for a long time. Sexual abuse is when a child is engages in …

Jan 6, 2025 · What is child sexual abuse? And how can you recognise it in the children you work or volunteer with? Read our free information to help you understand how to recognise indicators and learn how to respond to concerns.

If an adult engages in any sexual behavior (looking, showing, or touching) with a child to meet the adult’s interest or sexual needs, it is sexual abuse. Child Sexual Abuse includes harmful contact and non-contact behaviors.

Elizabeth Letourneau recommends that parents and caregivers follow a few simple steps to reduce the risk of child sexual abuse and for detecting the warning signs of potential sexual abuse problems. Families play an important role in safeguarding children from …