Know about incest / child sexual abuse
How do we define Child Sexual Abuse and identify what it comprises? Read on...
Child sexual abuse and incest
We define child sexual abuse as abuse of a child which involves sexual activity between a child and an older, bigger or powerful person. Incest occurs when this person is a family member or is close enough to be ‘as if ‘ family and is invested in the child in a functional role involving trust.
The abuse can begin in infancy, childhood or adolescence. It can be a one-time experience, something that happens more than once or repeatedly.
Sexually abusive behaviours
A wide range of behaviours is used to sexually abuse children. These behaviours may or may not involve physical contact, force or violence but almost always involves some form of coercion and intent to abuse. They include:
Touching, stroking or rubbing the child in a sexual way
Looking at the child in a sexual way
Involving the child in masturbation
Showing the child pornographic material
Taking photographs of the child in sexual poses or photographs of the child that can be used in a sexual way
Hugging or kissing the child in a sexual way
Flashing/exposing genitals to the child
Watching a child bathe or undress in a way that makes the child feel uncomfortable
Bathing or washing the child in a sexual way
Making lewd or suggestive comments to or about the child
Performing or making the child perform oral sex
Penetrating the child vaginally or anally with finger, object or penis
Any other way that the child can be used for sexual purposes
Terms we use
Abuser
An abuser is anyone who has sexually abused a child. Other terms for abusers are ‘perpetrators’ or ‘offenders’.
Child
The word ‘child’ is used here to refer to teenagers as well as younger children.
Victim
This word refers to the child who has been sexually abused and who is vulnerable and powerless.
Survivor
This refers to women who have been sexually abused as children. They have had to survive the trauma of sexual abuse and the term reflects the strength and resilience they have shown through adversity.
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