Sexual Abuse Resource Guide

Content approved by Jerry Parker

Unfortunately, sexual abuse knows few boundaries, and it can involve strangers, children, spouses, intimate partners, and even the elderly. Sexual abuse includes any type of action that pressures or coerces another person to do something sexually or have sexual contact when they don’t want to or cannot consent. Sexual abuse can also involve actions that impact someone else’s ability to access birth control or protection from sexually transmitted infections. Sexual abuse isn’t always a violent attack, and it can also happen between people who have been intimate before. Sexual abuse of any kind is against the law, and perpetrators can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Children

Child sexual abuse is a type of abuse that involves sexual activity with someone under the age of 18. Minors can never consent to having sexual relations, so when someone initiates this type of activity, a crime is being committed. Child sexual abuse can include obscene calls or messages, exhibitionism, fondling, any type of intercourse, masturbation in the presence of a minor, sex trafficking, and creating or owning pornographic content of children. Most perpetrators of child sexual abuse are known by the victim.

• Child Sexual l Abuse
• Child Sexual Abuse Facts & Resources
• Sexual Abuse: Effects
• What is Child Sexual Abuse
• Child Sexual Abuse (PDF)
• Overview of Child Sexual Abuse
• Victims of Child Sexual Abuse
• Childhood Sexual Abuse
• Definition of Child Sexual Abuse
• Defining Child Sexual Abuse
• Sexual Abuse

Spouses/Partners

Intimate partner sexual abuse happens within an intimate relationship, whether it’s marriage or dating. This type of abuse involves using threats or force to initiate sexual relations, and sometimes sexual violence is used to overpower a victim. Any type of unwanted touching, sexual taunts, forced involvement with pornography, forced prostitution, and even withholding affection if sexual wants are not met falls under the definition of intimate partner sexual abuse. This type of abuse often happens repeatedly in a relationship.

• Abuse in Intimate Relationships
• Domestic Violence and Abuse
• Quick Guide: Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse
• Partner Sexual Abuse Frequent Answers & Questions
• Intimate Partner Sexual Violence
• Intimate Partner Sexual Violence (IPSV): Information Sheet (PDF)
• Intimate Partner Sexual Assault
• About Domestic Abuse
• Domestic Abuse
• Abuse & Domestic Violence

Elders

Sexual abuse of the elderly might happen in a nursing home or it could happen in a home with in-home care or from family members. This type of abuse involves any type of sexual contact with the elderly victim. Often, an elderly person cannot communicate feelings about sexual contact due to dementia or other illness, so the elderly can be at risk for this abuse. Signs of sexual abuse of an elderly person include bruising, torn or bloody underwear, problems sitting or walking, panic attacks or anxiety, and social withdrawal. Family members need to remain closely involved in an elderly person’s care to notice potential signs of abuse, especially if the family member is a resident in a nursing home.

• What is Elder Abuse?
• Elderly Victims of Sexual Abuse and Their Offenders (PDF)
• Elder Sexual Assault (PDF)
• Preventing Elder Abuse
• Elder Abuse: Know the Signs of Physical, Financial, Emotional Harm
• Elder Sexual Abuse: What It Is and How to End It
• Elder Sexual Abuse: The Hidden Victim (PDF)
• Sexual Abuse
• Elder Abuse
• Understanding Elder Sexual Abuse and the Criminal Justice System’s Response: Comparisons to Elder Physical Abuse (PDF)

Survivor Resources

When sexual abuse happens, getting help is crucial. If you recognize signs of abuse in someone else, intervene to interrupt the cycle of abuse. Involve the police, make a report, and file charges against the perpetrator. Contact a lawyer to get legal advice. If you are the victim of sexual abuse, it is possible to get help by calling an assault hotline. Assistance is free and confidential, and you can be connected with local resources to help you be safe. Recovering from sexual trauma takes time, and it’s common for victims to feel frightened, ashamed, and alone. These feelings are normal, and victims are never to blame for sexual abuse. Join a support group and consider seeking help from a therapist trained in sexual trauma. Recovery takes time, but the memories of the trauma will fade, and you can regain your life once again.

• The Long-Term Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Counseling Implications
• Sexual Assault
• The Other #MeToo: Male Sexual Abuse Survivors
• Sexual Assault Survivor’s Guide
• The Mental Health Effects of Sexual Assault and Abuse
• Healing from Childhood Sexual Assault
• Q&A: Supporting Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
• The Facts of Male Survivorship
• Adverse Childhood Experiences
• Survivors of Incest Anonymous

Further sex abuse resources:

• Priest Abuse Attorneys
• Child Sexual Abuse Attorneys in New York
• Boy Scouts Sex Abuse Attorneys
• Dr Reginald Archibald Sex Abuse Attorneys
• Statute of Limitations Sex Abuse
• State Child Victims Act (New York)

A National Law Firm With Offices In:
New York | Brooklyn | Queens | Long Island | New Jersey | Florida
Call us at: 1-800-YOURLAWYER (800-968-7529) | Schedule your free consultation