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 […]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Further sex abuse resources: