Child Sexual Abuse

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.

Statistics and Research

• CDC Vital Signs: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Start Here

• Child Sexual Abuse National Center for PTSD
• Child Sexual Abuse American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Men

• Helping Yourself Heal: A Recovering Man’s Guide to Coping with the Effects of Childhood Abuse Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Women

• Helping Yourself Heal: A Recovering Woman’s Guide to Coping with Childhood Abuse Issues Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Find an Expert

• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

Living With

• Parenting a Child Who Has Been Sexually Abused: A Guide for Foster and Adoptive Parents Children’s Bureau

Journal Articles

• Child Sexual Abuse

Related Issues

• Questions and Answers about Memories of Childhood Abuse American Psychological Association

Patient Handouts

• Sexual abuse in children — what to know Medical Encyclopedia

Specifics

• Signs of Childhood Sexual Abuse American Academy of Family Physicians

Children

• Youth and Teens Page National Runaway Safeline