Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is usually undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault. The offender is referred to as a sexual abuser or (often pejoratively) molester.[size=12][1] The term also covers any behavior by an adult or older adolescent towards a child to stimulate any of the involved sexually. The use of a child, or other individuals younger than the age of consent, for sexual stimulation is referred to as child sexual abuse orstatutory rape.
Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which a child is abused for the sexual gratification of an adult or older adolescent.[2][3] It includes direct sexual contact, the adult or otherwise older person engaging indecent exposure (of the genitals, female nipples, etc.) to a child with intent to gratify their own sexual desires or to intimidate or groom the child, asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities, displaying pornography to a child, or using a child to produce child pornography.[2][4][5]
Effects of child sexual abuse include shame and self-blame,[6] depression,anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, self-esteem issues, sexual dysfunction,chronic pelvic pain, addiction, self-injury, suicidal ideation, borderline personality disorder, and propensity to re-victimization in adulthood.[7] Child sexual abuse is a risk factor for attempting suicide.[8] Much of the harm caused to victims becomes apparent years after the abuse happens.
Sexual abuse by a family member is a form of incest, and results in more serious and long-term psychological trauma, especially in the case of parental incest.[9]
Globally, approximately 18–19% of women and 8% of men disclose being sexually abused when they were children.[10][11] The gender gap may be caused by higher victimization of girls, lower willingness of men to disclose abuse, or both.[10] Most sexual abuse offenders are acquainted with their victims; approximately 30% are relatives of the child, most often fathers, uncles or cousins; around 60% are other acquaintances such as friends of the family, babysitters, or neighbors; strangers are the offenders in approximately 10% of child sexual abuse cases. Most child sexual abuse is committed by men; women commit approximately 14% of offenses reported against boys and 6% of offenses reported against girls.[12] Child sexual abuse offenders are notpedophiles unless they have a primary or exclusive sexual interest in prepubescent children.[13]
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Children
Main article: Child sexual abuseChild sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which a child is abused for the sexual gratification of an adult or older adolescent.[2][3] It includes direct sexual contact, the adult or otherwise older person engaging indecent exposure (of the genitals, female nipples, etc.) to a child with intent to gratify their own sexual desires or to intimidate or groom the child, asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities, displaying pornography to a child, or using a child to produce child pornography.[2][4][5]
Effects of child sexual abuse include shame and self-blame,[6] depression,anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, self-esteem issues, sexual dysfunction,chronic pelvic pain, addiction, self-injury, suicidal ideation, borderline personality disorder, and propensity to re-victimization in adulthood.[7] Child sexual abuse is a risk factor for attempting suicide.[8] Much of the harm caused to victims becomes apparent years after the abuse happens.
Sexual abuse by a family member is a form of incest, and results in more serious and long-term psychological trauma, especially in the case of parental incest.[9]
Globally, approximately 18–19% of women and 8% of men disclose being sexually abused when they were children.[10][11] The gender gap may be caused by higher victimization of girls, lower willingness of men to disclose abuse, or both.[10] Most sexual abuse offenders are acquainted with their victims; approximately 30% are relatives of the child, most often fathers, uncles or cousins; around 60% are other acquaintances such as friends of the family, babysitters, or neighbors; strangers are the offenders in approximately 10% of child sexual abuse cases. Most child sexual abuse is committed by men; women commit approximately 14% of offenses reported against boys and 6% of offenses reported against girls.[12] Child sexual abuse offenders are notpedophiles unless they have a primary or exclusive sexual interest in prepubescent children.[13]
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