Every year here in the U.S. thousands sexual abuse cases are called in to police departments and child protection services. It is estimated that one out of every four little girls and one out of every seven boys are sexually abused or molested before the age of 18. Think about it as you read this, you probably know someone who is dealing with this abuse right now! Scary thought huh?
Every state has different laws that prohibit sexual contact with children and adolescents. These laws vary from state to state, but they do agree on what sexual abuse behavior really is. Sexual abuse is the use of a child or an adolescent for sexual activity. Obviously this means the child is a minor, a minor is defined differently from state to state. Usually it is someone under the age of 17. Which means that it can include anyone from infancy to high school senior. Most people think sexual abuse refers only to sexual intercourse. Of course intercourse with a minor is sexual abuse. Although, many victims of sexual abuse do NOT have intercourse with their abuser. It can be genital exposure, fondling, forced touching, inappropriate kissing, or oral sex. They also may be forced to watch others engage in sexual activities.
Maybe if I add in some examples of sexual abuse it will clarify things some:
A. Elizabeth is ten. Her father comes into her room when she is sleeping and pulls her nightgown up so that he can rub her genital area with his hands.
B. Jimmy is two. His mother keeps him in her bed and masturbates him until he has an erection.
C. Steve and his friend Bob are invited to play video games at a neighbor's house. While playing, the neighbor suggests that the boys have a naked wrestling match while he takes pictures.
D. Andrea has been thinking about running away from home; her mother's boyfriend tries to kiss her and take off her clothes while her mother is at work.
E. Sally's teacher asks her to stay after class. While he is talking to her, he puts his arm around her and starts fondling her breasts.
F. Bonnie's parents are divorced. Her father has been having intercourse with her since she was eleven. Her mother does not understand why she is reluctant to stay overnight at her father's new apartment.
G. Carl is fifteen. He baby-sits for his six-year-old niece. He gets into bed with her and makes her rub his penis.
H. Tom's stepmother insists on giving him a bath, even though he is ten. She takes off her clothes and gets into the tub with him.
In each of the above, you see a person who is in authority taking advantage of someone younger and less powerful then they are. As you can also see abusers can be male or female, they may select someone of the same sex or opposite sex, they may be a family member, a friend or acquaintance. Sometimes the abuser is also a minor.
