Child sexual abuse or child molestation is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities (regardless of the outcome), 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, physical sexual contact with a child, or using a child to produce child pornography.
Child sexual abuse can occur in a variety of settings, including home, school, or work (in places where child labor is common). Child marriage is one of the main forms of child sexual abuse; UNICEF has stated that child marriage "represents perhaps the most prevalent form of sexual abuse and exploitation of girls". The effects of child sexual abuse can include depression,post-traumatic stress disorder,anxiety,complex post-traumatic stress disorder, propensity to further victimization in adulthood, and physical injury to the child, among other problems. Sexual abuse by a family member is a form of incest and can result in more serious and long-term psychological trauma, especially in the case of parental incest.
Laws against child sexual abuse vary by country based on the local definition of who is a child and what constitutes child sexual abuse. Most countries in the world employ some form of age of consent, with sexual contact with an underage person being criminally penalized. As the age of consent to sexual behaviour varies from country to country, so too do definitions of child sexual abuse. An adult's sexual intercourse with a minor below the legal age of consent may sometimes be referred to as statutory rape, based on the principle that any apparent consent by a minor could not be considered legal consent.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is an international treaty that legally obligates nations to protect children's rights. Articles 34 and 35 of the CRC require states to protect children from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. This includes outlawing the coercion of a child to perform sexual activity, the prostitution of children, and the exploitation of children in creating pornography. States are also required to prevent the abduction, sale, or trafficking of children. As of December 2014, 195 countries have ratified the Convention, including every member of the United Nations except the United States and South Sudan.
Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is forcing undesired sexual behavior by one person upon another. When that 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. The term also covers any behavior by any adult or older adolescent towards a child to stimulate any of the involved sexually. When the victim is younger than the age of consent, it is referred to as statutory rape or child sexual abuse.
Forms
Spousal
Spousal sexual abuse is a form of domestic violence. When the abuse involves forced sex, it may constitute rape upon the other spouse, depending on the jurisdiction, and may also constitute an assault.
Child sexual abuse
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. 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.
Our brand new animation explores simple steps we can all take to make children safer.
published: 20 Feb 2017
Child protection: an introduction - The signs and indicators of abuse | NSPCC Learning
Recognising the signs of abuse or neglect is a vitally important aspect of keeping children safe.
In this video Fiona Becker, Senior Consultant with the NSPCC, explains some of the things you can look out for to help keep children safe from harm.
NSPCC Learning provides a high-quality and accessible introductory safeguarding course, available to take online at any time and anywhere. Find out more at nspcc.org.uk/cpintro
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Photography by Tom Hull and Ross Bolger. The children and young people pictured are models. Adults pictured are models and volunteers.
published: 24 Sep 2021
NSPCC TV ad, 'Say Something' 60 SEC
1 in 20 children experience sexual abuse. And for these children, and the adults who are worried it’s happening, speaking out can be incredibly difficult. It means, right now, there’s a silence around sexual abuse. That's why everything we do - from our helplines to our work in every community – helps to break this silence and prevent abuse from ever happening. Join us. Because every childhood is worth fighting for. Donate today: http://bit.ly/2xzDnIq
published: 01 Nov 2017
Preventing child sexual abuse: Reducing the risk
In our new In Conversation series, Professor Richard Wortley and the NSPCC’s Jon Brown discuss the situational factors which can help prevent child sexual abuse.
Emily's Journey | Episode 1 | Surviving Sexual Abuse
For the first part of her journey, broadcaster and mum Emily reveals her story of surviving a childhood of sexual abuse.
If you're worried about a child you can contact our helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected].
If you're a young person and need someone to talk to, you can talk to Childline on the phone 0800 1111 or online at www.childline.org.uk
published: 06 Mar 2020
Making Noise: children and young people's voices after sexual abuse
Making Noise puts the focus on children and young people’s voices for positive change after sexual abuse. It is a project produced by The International Centre, University of Bedfordshire, in collaboration with the NSPCC. The Office of the Children’s Commissioner commissioned the original report. Read the full report at https://www.beds.ac.uk/making-noise
published: 20 Apr 2017
NSPCC - Cartoon (2002, UK)
A multi-award winning PIF from the NSPCC combining live-action and animation to harrowing effect, as child abuse is envisioned as cartoon slapstick, as if the boy is merely unreal, even immortal to his horrid live-action father (Johnny Harris). This is the uncut cinema version, a cut so vicious and real that it's no wonder hardly anybody involved in its production could bear to include it in their showreel, and was passed with an 18 rating for strong language and child abuse theme. You have been warned. Directed by the late Frank Budgen at Gorgeous with animation directed by Russell Brooke, designer of Willie Wotsit, at Passion Pictures.
published: 21 Jun 2019
NSPCC | Childhood Day | Abuse Can Stop With A Call | TV advert 2022
Half a million children suffer abuse or neglect a year in the UK. Play your part this Childhood Day and donate now to help answer the calls that can stop abuse. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/donate/
published: 25 Apr 2022
Saying No to Prevent Sexual Abuse
Andrew and Laura are good friends and he wants to take it further. Abuse can come from a close friend but you never owe anyone sex, or even a change in relationship that you don't want.
published: 08 May 2020
What role can a community play in preventing child sexual abuse? | Together for Childhood
Together for Childhood is a community-led approach that’s bringing families, local organisations, schools and many others together in Chell, Chell Heath and Fegg Hayes to find ways to prevent child sexual abuse. But what does that mean in practice? Hear about some of the projects that are underway, from identifying ways to make local areas safer through better lighting and CCTV, to delivering programmes that help people feel more confident about spotting signs of abuse and reporting them.
Recognising the signs of abuse or neglect is a vitally important aspect of keeping children safe.
In this video Fiona Becker, Senior Consultant with the NSPCC,...
Recognising the signs of abuse or neglect is a vitally important aspect of keeping children safe.
In this video Fiona Becker, Senior Consultant with the NSPCC, explains some of the things you can look out for to help keep children safe from harm.
NSPCC Learning provides a high-quality and accessible introductory safeguarding course, available to take online at any time and anywhere. Find out more at nspcc.org.uk/cpintro
--
Photography by Tom Hull and Ross Bolger. The children and young people pictured are models. Adults pictured are models and volunteers.
Recognising the signs of abuse or neglect is a vitally important aspect of keeping children safe.
In this video Fiona Becker, Senior Consultant with the NSPCC, explains some of the things you can look out for to help keep children safe from harm.
NSPCC Learning provides a high-quality and accessible introductory safeguarding course, available to take online at any time and anywhere. Find out more at nspcc.org.uk/cpintro
--
Photography by Tom Hull and Ross Bolger. The children and young people pictured are models. Adults pictured are models and volunteers.
1 in 20 children experience sexual abuse. And for these children, and the adults who are worried it’s happening, speaking out can be incredibly difficult. It me...
1 in 20 children experience sexual abuse. And for these children, and the adults who are worried it’s happening, speaking out can be incredibly difficult. It means, right now, there’s a silence around sexual abuse. That's why everything we do - from our helplines to our work in every community – helps to break this silence and prevent abuse from ever happening. Join us. Because every childhood is worth fighting for. Donate today: http://bit.ly/2xzDnIq
1 in 20 children experience sexual abuse. And for these children, and the adults who are worried it’s happening, speaking out can be incredibly difficult. It means, right now, there’s a silence around sexual abuse. That's why everything we do - from our helplines to our work in every community – helps to break this silence and prevent abuse from ever happening. Join us. Because every childhood is worth fighting for. Donate today: http://bit.ly/2xzDnIq
In our new In Conversation series, Professor Richard Wortley and the NSPCC’s Jon Brown discuss the situational factors which can help prevent child sexual abuse...
In our new In Conversation series, Professor Richard Wortley and the NSPCC’s Jon Brown discuss the situational factors which can help prevent child sexual abuse.
In our new In Conversation series, Professor Richard Wortley and the NSPCC’s Jon Brown discuss the situational factors which can help prevent child sexual abuse.
Emily's Journey | Episode 1 | Surviving Sexual Abuse
For the first part of her journey, broadcaster and mum Emily reveals her story of surviving a childhood o...
Emily's Journey | Episode 1 | Surviving Sexual Abuse
For the first part of her journey, broadcaster and mum Emily reveals her story of surviving a childhood of sexual abuse.
If you're worried about a child you can contact our helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected].
If you're a young person and need someone to talk to, you can talk to Childline on the phone 0800 1111 or online at www.childline.org.uk
Emily's Journey | Episode 1 | Surviving Sexual Abuse
For the first part of her journey, broadcaster and mum Emily reveals her story of surviving a childhood of sexual abuse.
If you're worried about a child you can contact our helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected].
If you're a young person and need someone to talk to, you can talk to Childline on the phone 0800 1111 or online at www.childline.org.uk
Making Noise puts the focus on children and young people’s voices for positive change after sexual abuse. It is a project produced by The International Centre, ...
Making Noise puts the focus on children and young people’s voices for positive change after sexual abuse. It is a project produced by The International Centre, University of Bedfordshire, in collaboration with the NSPCC. The Office of the Children’s Commissioner commissioned the original report. Read the full report at https://www.beds.ac.uk/making-noise
Making Noise puts the focus on children and young people’s voices for positive change after sexual abuse. It is a project produced by The International Centre, University of Bedfordshire, in collaboration with the NSPCC. The Office of the Children’s Commissioner commissioned the original report. Read the full report at https://www.beds.ac.uk/making-noise
A multi-award winning PIF from the NSPCC combining live-action and animation to harrowing effect, as child abuse is envisioned as cartoon slapstick, as if the b...
A multi-award winning PIF from the NSPCC combining live-action and animation to harrowing effect, as child abuse is envisioned as cartoon slapstick, as if the boy is merely unreal, even immortal to his horrid live-action father (Johnny Harris). This is the uncut cinema version, a cut so vicious and real that it's no wonder hardly anybody involved in its production could bear to include it in their showreel, and was passed with an 18 rating for strong language and child abuse theme. You have been warned. Directed by the late Frank Budgen at Gorgeous with animation directed by Russell Brooke, designer of Willie Wotsit, at Passion Pictures.
A multi-award winning PIF from the NSPCC combining live-action and animation to harrowing effect, as child abuse is envisioned as cartoon slapstick, as if the boy is merely unreal, even immortal to his horrid live-action father (Johnny Harris). This is the uncut cinema version, a cut so vicious and real that it's no wonder hardly anybody involved in its production could bear to include it in their showreel, and was passed with an 18 rating for strong language and child abuse theme. You have been warned. Directed by the late Frank Budgen at Gorgeous with animation directed by Russell Brooke, designer of Willie Wotsit, at Passion Pictures.
Half a million children suffer abuse or neglect a year in the UK. Play your part this Childhood Day and donate now to help answer the calls that can stop abuse....
Half a million children suffer abuse or neglect a year in the UK. Play your part this Childhood Day and donate now to help answer the calls that can stop abuse. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/donate/
Half a million children suffer abuse or neglect a year in the UK. Play your part this Childhood Day and donate now to help answer the calls that can stop abuse. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/donate/
Andrew and Laura are good friends and he wants to take it further. Abuse can come from a close friend but you never owe anyone sex, or even a change in relation...
Andrew and Laura are good friends and he wants to take it further. Abuse can come from a close friend but you never owe anyone sex, or even a change in relationship that you don't want.
Andrew and Laura are good friends and he wants to take it further. Abuse can come from a close friend but you never owe anyone sex, or even a change in relationship that you don't want.
Together for Childhood is a community-led approach that’s bringing families, local organisations, schools and many others together in Chell, Chell Heath and Feg...
Together for Childhood is a community-led approach that’s bringing families, local organisations, schools and many others together in Chell, Chell Heath and Fegg Hayes to find ways to prevent child sexual abuse. But what does that mean in practice? Hear about some of the projects that are underway, from identifying ways to make local areas safer through better lighting and CCTV, to delivering programmes that help people feel more confident about spotting signs of abuse and reporting them.
Together for Childhood is a community-led approach that’s bringing families, local organisations, schools and many others together in Chell, Chell Heath and Fegg Hayes to find ways to prevent child sexual abuse. But what does that mean in practice? Hear about some of the projects that are underway, from identifying ways to make local areas safer through better lighting and CCTV, to delivering programmes that help people feel more confident about spotting signs of abuse and reporting them.
Recognising the signs of abuse or neglect is a vitally important aspect of keeping children safe.
In this video Fiona Becker, Senior Consultant with the NSPCC, explains some of the things you can look out for to help keep children safe from harm.
NSPCC Learning provides a high-quality and accessible introductory safeguarding course, available to take online at any time and anywhere. Find out more at nspcc.org.uk/cpintro
--
Photography by Tom Hull and Ross Bolger. The children and young people pictured are models. Adults pictured are models and volunteers.
1 in 20 children experience sexual abuse. And for these children, and the adults who are worried it’s happening, speaking out can be incredibly difficult. It means, right now, there’s a silence around sexual abuse. That's why everything we do - from our helplines to our work in every community – helps to break this silence and prevent abuse from ever happening. Join us. Because every childhood is worth fighting for. Donate today: http://bit.ly/2xzDnIq
In our new In Conversation series, Professor Richard Wortley and the NSPCC’s Jon Brown discuss the situational factors which can help prevent child sexual abuse.
Emily's Journey | Episode 1 | Surviving Sexual Abuse
For the first part of her journey, broadcaster and mum Emily reveals her story of surviving a childhood of sexual abuse.
If you're worried about a child you can contact our helpline on 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected].
If you're a young person and need someone to talk to, you can talk to Childline on the phone 0800 1111 or online at www.childline.org.uk
Making Noise puts the focus on children and young people’s voices for positive change after sexual abuse. It is a project produced by The International Centre, University of Bedfordshire, in collaboration with the NSPCC. The Office of the Children’s Commissioner commissioned the original report. Read the full report at https://www.beds.ac.uk/making-noise
A multi-award winning PIF from the NSPCC combining live-action and animation to harrowing effect, as child abuse is envisioned as cartoon slapstick, as if the boy is merely unreal, even immortal to his horrid live-action father (Johnny Harris). This is the uncut cinema version, a cut so vicious and real that it's no wonder hardly anybody involved in its production could bear to include it in their showreel, and was passed with an 18 rating for strong language and child abuse theme. You have been warned. Directed by the late Frank Budgen at Gorgeous with animation directed by Russell Brooke, designer of Willie Wotsit, at Passion Pictures.
Half a million children suffer abuse or neglect a year in the UK. Play your part this Childhood Day and donate now to help answer the calls that can stop abuse. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/donate/
Andrew and Laura are good friends and he wants to take it further. Abuse can come from a close friend but you never owe anyone sex, or even a change in relationship that you don't want.
Together for Childhood is a community-led approach that’s bringing families, local organisations, schools and many others together in Chell, Chell Heath and Fegg Hayes to find ways to prevent child sexual abuse. But what does that mean in practice? Hear about some of the projects that are underway, from identifying ways to make local areas safer through better lighting and CCTV, to delivering programmes that help people feel more confident about spotting signs of abuse and reporting them.
Child sexual abuse or child molestation is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation. Forms of child sexual abuse include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities (regardless of the outcome), 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, physical sexual contact with a child, or using a child to produce child pornography.
Child sexual abuse can occur in a variety of settings, including home, school, or work (in places where child labor is common). Child marriage is one of the main forms of child sexual abuse; UNICEF has stated that child marriage "represents perhaps the most prevalent form of sexual abuse and exploitation of girls". The effects of child sexual abuse can include depression,post-traumatic stress disorder,anxiety,complex post-traumatic stress disorder, propensity to further victimization in adulthood, and physical injury to the child, among other problems. Sexual abuse by a family member is a form of incest and can result in more serious and long-term psychological trauma, especially in the case of parental incest.