Sexual abuse in children

Sexual abuse

• sexual abuse involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening
  • the activities 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
  • may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in 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)
• sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.

Incidence is estimated as 20/1000 children per annum (American Humane Association). Physical abuse - 27%, neglect - 59%, sexual abuse - 7% (AHA).

Reference:

• Bristol CCG Safeguarding Children Policy (Accessed 12/3/2014).
• Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust. Child Safeguarding Policy (Accessed 12/3/2014).
• adapted from Student Broadsheets; Department of Psychiatry: University of Oxford.