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Basics
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Summary
Sexual abuse is one form of child abuse. It includes a wide range of actions between a child and an adult or older child. Often these involve body contact, but not always. Exposing one's genitals to children or pressuring them for sex is sexual abuse. Using a child for pornography is also sexual abuse.
Most sexual abusers know the child they abuse. They may be family friends, neighbors or babysitters. About one-third of abusers are related to the child. Most abusers are men. If you think a child may have been abused, it's important to report it.
Living With
- Parenting a Child Who Has Been Sexually Abused: A Guide for Foster and Adoptive Parents (Children's Bureau) - PDF
Related Issues
- Questions and Answers about Memories of Childhood Abuse (American Psychological Association)
Specifics
- Signs of Childhood Sexual Abuse (American Academy of Family Physicians) Also in Spanish
Statistics and Research
- CDC Vital Signs: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Factors associated with access and utilization of sexual abuse emergency healthcare...
- Article: The effects of perpetrator power on the duration and number of...
- Article: Where are Minors Initially Contacted for Sexual Exploitation Grooming in North...
- Child Sexual Abuse -- see more articles
Find an Expert
Children
- Youth and Teens Page (National Runaway Safeline)
Patient Handouts
- Sexual abuse in children -- what to know (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.