Sexual abuse may involve physical contact (for example penetration and oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing.
It may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse. Sexual abuse can take place online; technology can be used to facilitate offline abuse (see our resource page on Online safety and cybercrime) and also encompasses Child Sexual Exploitation.
Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children (see our resource page on peer on peer/child on child abuse). Abuse can also be committed by adults who are in a position of trust or professionally employed. It’s important to report all concerns – including low level concerns.
The impact of coronavirus…
The NSPCC reported a threefold increase in Childline counselling sessions about child sexual abuse within the family between March and May 2020. They also reported that, between April and August 2020, they saw an 11% increase in Childline counselling sessions about online sexual abuse, as well as a 60% increase in contacts from adults concerned about children experiencing online sexual abuse. Between periods in Spring and Autumn 2020, The Lucy Faithfull Foundation saw an increase in use of their preventative resources for child sexual abuse, which support those with concerns about their own or another’s behaviour – the average number of weekly users of their offender-focused website increased by 128%.