Types of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Types of abuse include but aren't limited to:

• Exposing a child to sexual activity or sexual content either in person or online
• Incest
• Producing, owning, or distributing child pornography
• Rape
• Sex trafficking or prostitution of a child
• Sexual assault (including intercourse, fondling, masturbation of oneself, or forcing a minor to masturbate)
• Sexual harassment (such as calling or messaging a minor with obscene content)
• Using physical force or causing physical injury is not required for an act to be considered sexual abuse of a child.

 Legally, any sexual act between a child under the age of consent and an adulthood is considered sexual abuse because children cannot provide consent

Children who are sexually abused can experience short- and long-term effects, including:

• Abnormal sexual knowledge or behaviour
• Avoidance of physical contact
• Attempts to run away
• Bleeding or bruising of genitals
• Blood on underwear (or torn underwear)
• Changes in hygiene (such as frequent bathing or no bathing)
• Frequent yeast infections
• Pain or burning in the genital area
• Self-harm
• Signs of depression
• Signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Sudden phobias or fears
• Sudden trouble at school
• Suicidal ideation
• Trouble walking or sitting
• Drug and alcohol problems

A child may also start to be overly protective of their friends or siblings. This is known as taking on a "caretaker" role. Alternatively, they may revert to thumb-sucking or other behaviours of younger children.

With childhood sexual abuse, the perpetrators often exhibit a pattern of behaviour called grooming. This is a strategy used to disarm victims and their families into trusting them, making it more difficult to detect them as an abuser.

For instance, perpetrators of childhood sexual abuse will often take on a father or mother figure role, sometimes even choosing professions that allow them close access to children. The perpetrator is also likely to develop close relationships with the child and their family.

They may also "desensitize the child to touch," or touch them harmlessly many times before violating them sexually. The offender will hide behind these and other tactics to assure that their transgressions aren't revealed.