What is Child Sexual Abuse?

Sexual abuse occurs when a child is used for sexual purposes by an adult or youth. Sexual abuse includes fondling a child’s genitals, intercourse, incest, rape, sodomy, exhibitionism, and commercial exploitation through prostitution or the production of pornographic materials. The seven forms of sexual abuse include the following:

Sexual Activity Attempted

Included attempts to have oral, vaginal, or anal sex.

Sexual Activity Completed

Included oral, vaginal, or anal sexual activities.

Touching/Fondling Genitals

Sexual activity involved touching/fondling genitals.

Adult Exposing Genitals to Child

Sexual activity consisted of exposure of genitals.

Sexual Exploitation — Involved in Prostitution or Pornography

Included situations in which an adult sexually exploited a child for purposes of financial gain or other profit.

Sexual Harassment

Included proposition, encouragement, or suggestion of a sexual nature.

Voyeurism

Included activities in which a child was encouraged to exhibit himself/herself for the sexual gratification of the alleged perpetrator.

[This information was taken from the report by Nico Trocmé and David Wolfe entitled Child Maltreatment in Canada: Selected Results from the Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect published by the Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2001.]