Sexual abuse is more common than you might think but it’s a topic that is often very difficult to talk about. There can be confusion about what sexual abuse actually includes, so a sexual abuse definition can be helpful to understand your own experiences – or the experiences of your loved ones.
The definition of sexual abuse includes words such as molestation, rape,and sexual assault. What this means is that sexual abuse is any kind of unwanted sexual activity. Physical force doesn’t have to be used – and this is one of the biggest misconceptions about sexual abuse.
People assume that there has to be physical force for it to be abuse, and this can lead to victims feeling that they are in some way to blame for what has happened to them. This is simply not true. All of the following are signs of sexual abuse:
- Someone touching you intimately when you don’t want them to
- Sexual penetration against your wishes
- Someone manipulating you or forcing you to engage in sexual acts that you don’t want to do
Someone taking advantage of you when you’re vulnerable (such as when you’re under the influence of alcohol)
Are there different types of sexual abuse?
There are a number of different types of sexual abuse. Many people immediately think of childhood sexual abuse, but this is just one of the possible types of sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is a broad category that includes:
- Child sexual abuse
- Sexual assault
- Incest
- Drug-facilitated sexual assault (date-rape)
- Sexual abuse by medical professionals
- Sexual exploitation by helping professionals
- Sexual abuse of people with disabilities
- Multiple-perpetrator sexual assault (gang rape)
- Sexual harassment
- Indecent exposure
As well as these different kinds of sexual abuse, there are also subtypes of sexual abuse:
- Subtle– children who are exposed to inappropriate sexual images or inappropriate sexual talk by their caregivers may be victims of subtle sexual abuse
- Confusing – someone who is sexually abused by a trusted family member or close friend, or someone in authority, may experience much more confusion and guilt and shame because of what has happened
- Overt – with overt sexual abuse (which tends to include rape by strangers), it’s obvious what has happened, and people who are victims of this kind of abuse are more likely to seek help immediately
- Ritualistic – the most damaging and destructive type of sexual abuse is ritual sexual abuse, and this takes place over many years. Satanic ritualistic torture, manipulation,and other horrific traumas are part of this type of abuse, which can lead to the fracturing of the psyche and Dissociative Identity Disorder
What are the signs of sexual abuse in children?
Sexual abuse in children can often be difficult to spot, so it’s important for parents, educators,and caregivers to be aware of the telltale signs that a child is being sexually abused. Some of these are more obvious than others and not all victims of child sexual abuse will display all the signs. In a general sense, changes in behavior and/or patterns in behavior can be indicators that something is wrong.
Signs of sexual abuse in children include:
- Becoming withdrawn and unusually quiet
- Greater levels of fear and anxiety
- Hypervigilance
- Symptoms of PTSD
- Nightmares
- Other sleep disturbances, such as being overly tired
- Panic attacks
- Depression
- Crying and/or tearfulness
- Emotional apathy
- Agitation and aggression
- Guilt and shame
- Bed wetting or soiling
- Pain in the genital areas, the anus, or difficulty swallowing
- Fear of intimacy
- Excessive or inappropriate touching
- Sexual promiscuity
- Sexual acting out
- Animal abuse or cruelty
- Age-inappropriate knowledge of sex
- Disturbing types of play (such as acting out their abuse)
- Disturbing creative expression – in drawings and paintings, stories, journal entries,and social media
- Power and control issues
- Attention seeking behavior
- Hygiene issues
- Running away
- Alcohol and/or drug abuse
- Sexual or gender identity confusion