sexual abuse
Last updatedWhat to know
Sexual abuse refers to nonconsensual sexual activity that often involves force, threats, or coercion. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with sexual assault. Legally, sexual abuse may be the term used to refer to any sexual activity between a child and adult and doesn’t require penetration or touching. Other forms of sexual abuse include exposing one’s genitals to a minor, forcing a minor to engage in sexually explicit conversation, making or sharing obscene images of children, and so on.
In the context of abuse of a child by an adult, the term “sexual abuse” is more accurate than “child molestation,” which can give readers the false impression that abuse only counts if touching is involved.
Likewise, substituting the word “abuse” with “pedophilia” is misleading in that it puts the focus on attraction rather than behavior.
Adults can also experience sexual abuse. People with disabilities who rely on others for daily living activities are especially vulnerable. Some individuals may not have access to the tools necessary to make a report. Others may report the abuse but are disbelieved due to their diagnosis.
Nearly 2 percent of older adults in institutional settings experience sexual abuse, according to some estimates. An adult may have dementia or another condition that makes them unable to consent. It’s also possible that a caregiver will withhold necessities or make threats to coerce the individual into sexual activity.
Additional resources
- Warning Signs for Young Children (RAINN)
- Elder Sexual Abuse (elderabuse.org)
- Pedocriminality: Why We Should Stop Using the Word Pedophilia When Discussing Childhood Sexual Abuse (Celeste Ziehl/Medium)
Summary
Sexual abuse refers to nonconsensual sexual activity that often involves force, threats, or coercion. The term is sometimes used interchangeably with sexual assault. In the context of abuse of a child by an adult, the term “sexual abuse” is more accurate than “child molestation,” which can give readers the false impression that abuse only counts if touching is involved.