Child Sexual Abuse or Sexual Violence is any sexual act that committed against a person’s will. The sexual act can include rape, verbal sexual harassment, threats of sexual violence, unwanted touching, exhibitionism, unwanted exposure to pornography, taking nude pictures of a person without their consent or knowledge, attempts at a sex act and non-contact sexual behavior.

Parents need to talk to their kids about sexual abuse and it needs to start early. Do not wait. All discussions with your children need to be age appropriate; pre-teen, early teen and late teen. Sexual abuse is never acceptable.

There are many forms of sexual abuse:

  • Verbal – inappropriate and abusive words and language
  • Visual – showing pornographic pictures; taking nude photos; exhibitionism
  • Touch – inappropriate touching

 

Sexual abuse often happens in stages: verbal, touch and then actual sexual relations. Kids need to be aware of sexual abuse information in ways that are appropriate to their age.

In Part 3, we will address inappropriate touch. In Part 1 we discussed abusive words and language and in Part 2 we addressed showing pornographic material.

In a sexual context, groping is touching or fondling another person in a sexual way using the hands or pressing against the body; it generally has a negative connotation, and is considered molestation in most societies as defined by Wikipedia.

Any type of unwanted touching is considered inappropriate touching. This includes hugging and kissing when a child does not want it.

Inappropriate touching can include: hitting, pinching, slapping, any type of forced sex act, rape, date rape, dating abuse.

Pre-teens and teenagers have many different reactions to sexual abuse which can include:

 

Do not ignore these reactions or other signs of sexual abuse. There is treatment for pre-teens and teenagers that are victims of sexual abuse.

Triumph Youth Services has been working with adolescent males for many years. Their staff is compassionate and caring. If your son has been a victim of sexual abuse, teen dating violence or is experiencing other difficulties such as depression, substance abuse, problems in school etc., call for help.

Reference
http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/sexualviolence/definitions.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Groping