What is sexual abuse?

Sexual abuse of a child is any sexual act between an adult and a child or between a child four years older than a younger child.  This includes:

·        Fondling, touching, or kissing a child's genitals

·        Making the child fondle the adult's genitals

·        Penetration, intercourse, incest rape, oral sex or sodomy

·        Exposing the child to adult sexuality in other forms (showing sex organs to a child, forced observation of sexual acts, showing pornographic material, telling "dirty" stories, group sex (including a child)

·        Other privacy violations (forcing the child to undress, spying on a child in the bathroom or bedroom

·        Sexual exploitation

·        Enticing children to pornographic sites or material on the internet

·        Luring children thought the internet to meet for sexual liaisons

·        Exposing children to pornographic movies or magazines

·        Child prostitution

·        Using a child in the production of pornography, such as a film or magazine

Sex abusers can be:

• Parents, siblings, or other relatives
• Childcare professionals
• Clergy, teachers, or athletic coaches
• Neighbors or fiends
• strangers

Some Signs & Symptoms of Sexual Abuse

·        Inappropriate interest in or knowledge of sexual acts

·        Seductiveness

·        Avoidance of things related to sexuality, or rejection of own genitals or bodies

·        Nightmares and/or bedwetting

·        Drastic changes in appetite

·        Over compliance or excessive aggression

·        Fear of a particular person or family member

·        Withdrawal, secretiveness or depression

·        Suicidal behavior

·        Eating disorders

·        Self-injury

·        Insertion of toys into genitals

·        "humping" furniture or dolls

·        excessive masturbation

·        sexual acting out on other children

Sexual abuse is very complicated due to the power differential between the child and the adult or older child/adolescent.  There are often negotiations that must occur between the victim and the perpetrator and the child has no way to assimilate the experience into a mature understanding of intimacy.  It is important to remember that regardless of the child's behavior or reactions to the sexually abusive behavior, it is the responsibility of the adult or older child/adolescent not to engage in sexual acts with children.  Sexual abuse is never the child's fault. 

If you have concerns that a child you know may have been sexually abused or is currently being sexually abused please contact your local Child Protective Services hotline.  The Tennessee Central Intake phone number is 1-877-237-0004. 

Remember:  You do not have to prove sexual abuse has occurred to report it.  If you suspect or have a disclosure from a child you should report this immediately.