7 Types of Child Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse happens when a single person, or a group of people, engages in sexual activity with a minor child younger than 18 years of age.

Minors do not have the ability to consent to any form of sexual activity. Therefore, all forms of sexual activity that involve a child are a crime.

The experienced child sexual abuse attorneys at the Law Offices of Mark Yablonovich know that sexual abuse of children is still a widespread problem despite abusers knowing that they could face criminal convictions and prison.

Defining the Different Forms Of Child Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse can take on several different forms. Some of these do not even involve an adult physically touching a minor. Across the globe, some of the most common are as follows:

1. A grown adult exposing themselves to a minor child.
2. An individual masturbating in front of a minor child.
3. An individual forcing a minor child to masturbate in front of them.
4. A minor child being inappropriately touched and fondled by an adult.
5. The sharing of pornographic material that contains images/videos of minor children.
6. A grown adult engaging in intercourse with a minor child.
7. A grown adult engaging in a sexually explicit conversation with a minor child.

Child sexual abuse often has long-lasting negative implications that can start in childhood and persist into adulthood. Some of the long-term consequences for child sexual abuse victims include:

• Sexually Transmitted Infections/Sexually Transmitted Diseases
• Self-Harm
• Alcoholism
• Poor Self-Esteem
• Pregnancy
• Substance Abuse
• Severe Anxiety
• Sleep Disorders
• Panic Attacks
• Depression
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

All of these serious consequences can prevent a victim of child sexual abuse from experiencing a superior quality of life and living in a healthy, productive way. These issues can burden a victim and prevent them from living a life that aligns with their aims and goals.

Is Child Sexual Abuse Common?

Child sexual abuse in the United States and worldwide is far too common. For instance, on average, at least one child out of ten will be the victim of some form of sexual abuse before the age of 18. On a global scale, as high as 29% of men were the victims of sexual abuse as a child. For women, up to 36% experienced sexual abuse as a child.

Despite its prevalence, child sexual abuse remains an under-reported crime. Many victims decide never to report the abuse they had to endure. There are several reasons for this. In some situations, a child believes that no one will believe them. Sometimes the child is unable to understand what has happened to them while not having the ability to express what took place. In other cases, the child is threatened by their abuser not to tell. 

Call the Law Offices of Mark Yablonovich Today

Child sexual abuse is unfortunately common and deeply destructive. For help taking legal action against an abuser, you can speak with a child sexual abuse lawyer today, and we will assist you in obtaining the justice that you deserve.