Child Sexual Abuse

Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) involves persuading or forcing a child to take part in sexual activities or encouraging a child to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.

Acts of child sexual abuse can be committed by adults regardless of gender or sexuality, as well as teenagers and other children.

The sexual abuse of children is more than just physical sexual contact. Sexual abuse can take place online, and technology can be used to facilitate offline abuse.

Sexual touching of any part of the body, clothed or unclothed.
All penetrative sex, including penetration of the mouth with an object or part of the body.
Encouraging a child to engage in sexual activity including sexual acts with someone else and making a child strip or masturbate.
Intentionally engaging in sexual activity in front of a child.
Not taking proper measures to prevent a child being exposed to sexual activity by others.
Meeting a child following sexual “grooming” with the intention of abusing them.
Taking, making, permitting to take, distributing, showing or advertising indecent images of children.
Paying for the sexual services of a child or encouraging them into prostitution or pornography.
Showing images of sexual activity to a child, including photographs, videos or via webcams.

Note:

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'.
Children with special educational needs and disabilities are three times more likely to be abused than their peers and additional barriers can sometimes exist when recognising abuse in children with special educational needs and disabilities.
The majority of child sexual abuse is hidden; never reported or uncovered by an official agency. Data estimates that 15% of girls and 5% of boys will experience child sexual abuse before the age of 16. Only 1 in 8 will become known to professionals at the time.

How to tell if a child's sexual behaviour is appropriate for their age
Report suspected online child sexual abuse images or videos via the internet watch foundation

Signs and Indicators

Response Pathway

The signs and indicators template, developed by the Centre of expertise on child sexual abuse, helps professionals in systematically observing, recording and communicating their concerns about possible abuse.

There is often no single or combination of indicators that signify that a child is being sexually abused, and indicators may also point to other forms of harm. Children who are sexually abused often experience co-existing forms of maltreatment, such as neglect, physical abuse and emotional abuse. As a result, signs of sexual abuse are often missed, or dismissed, leaving children who haven't disclosed their abuse at continued risk.

Signs and Indicators template

The Child Sexual Abuse Pathway highlights good practice when there are concerns that a child or young person is being or has been sexually abused.

This resource clarifies professional's responsibilities at key stages to support children's safety, wellbeing, and wider needs. Guidance outlines how to meet a child or young person's needs throughout the pathway.

Response pathway

Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVA)

Independent Sexual Violence Advisors work with children, young people and adults who have experienced sexual violence and abuse. Providing support and guidance that is specifically tailored to each person's needs, it is an inclusive service irrespective of whether the abuse was recent, a long time ago, or through domestic sexual abuse.

The ISVAs ensure survivors have a safe space to consider their options and feel supported to make decisions that feel right for them.

The aim as an ISVA is to empower survivors by rebuilding self-confidence and self-worth, offering them choices where they feel they have no voice, and enabling survivors to gain back control over their own lives and futures.

Independent Sexual Violence Advisors

Sarah's Law (Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme)

Sarah’s Law, formally known as the Child Sex Offender Disclosure Scheme, enables parents, carers, and guardians in England and Wales to request information from the police about whether someone who has access to a child poses a known risk due to past sexual offences.

Introduced in 2011, the scheme aims to safeguard children by allowing concerned individuals to make enquiries if they suspect someone may be dangerous. Disclosures are made only when deemed lawful, necessary, and proportionate, and are strictly confidential - shared only with the person responsible for the child’s welfare.

Sarah's Law