Child Sexual Abuse

What is Child Sexual Abuse?

Sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities. It may not involve a high level of violence. The child may not be aware or understand what is happening to them, or that it is wrong for the abuser to do this to them.

Sexual abuse may involve:

• Physical contact including assault by penetration (for example rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing.
• Non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet).

Note:

• Woman can be perpetrators of sexual abuse, as well as other children.
• A child under 13 is not legally capable of consenting to sexual activity.
• Whilst the legal age of consent for a sexual relationship is 16 years, any sexual relationship or sexual contact with a 16- or 17-year-old by a person in a position of trust is still unlawful, even if 'consensual'.

For younger children

NSPCC Talk PANTS helps children understand their body belongs to them. It helps them understand they should tell an adult they trust if something makes them feel upset or worried.