Child sexual abuse occurs when sexual activity takes place involving a minor. Child sexual abuse can take various forms, both physical such as molest or intercourse and otherwise. These forms include exposing oneself, sending explicit messages or calls, masturbating in front of the victim or forcing the victim to masturbate, showing pornographic images and so on.
Child sexual abuse may be committed unto a child by someone of the same age, a few years older or much older than the victim. Many perpetrators have a prior relationship with the childβthey might be family friends or relatives, teachers, coaches or babysitters. If the minor is under the age of 14, the law carries a heavier punishment. Sexual grooming is a deliberate process by which a perpetrator confuses and manipulates his victims.
At some point, he starts to blur the lines between care, love and sex to escalate his actions. He may begin to show his private parts, or induce a child to show his or hers. Doing this over a period of time normalises the abuse and allows for the crime to increase in intensity. A perpetrator may also suggest that the child had agreed to or even initiated the acts, further increasing his or her confusion and feelings of complicity.
A young sexual violence survivor can tell a trusted adult about what they are experiencing. This adult may be able to support them and stop further abuse. At an institution like a school or a workplace, the incident can be reported to the disciplinary committee, HR, governing bodies or support centres, so that authorities can intervene. A supportive, non-judgmental first response is pivotal in cases of child sexual abuse.
If a child speaks up, listen and believe them. If you notice behavioural changes or sexualised behaviour in a child, gently investigate instead of shutting the child down.
