Child sexual abuse
- What is child sexual abuse?
- Facts about child sexual abuse
- Signs of child sexual abuse
- Protecting children from child sexual abuse
- Because you cannot be with them all the time
- Where to get help
What is child sexual abuse?
Child sexual abuse occurs when an adult, more powerful child or adolescent uses his or her power to involve a child in sexual activity.
Sexual abuse can be physical, verbal or emotional and can include:
- kissing or holding a child in a sexual manner
- 'flashing' or exposing a sexual body part to a child
- speaking to children about sexual matters
- making obscene phone calls or remarks to a child or young person
- sending obscene emails or text measages to a child or young person
- fondling a child or young person's body in a sexual manner
- persistent intrusion of a child's privacy
- penetration of the vagina or anus either by the penis, finger or any other object
- oral sex
- rape
- incest
- showing pornographic films, magazines or photographs to a child
- having a child pose or perform in a sexual manner
- forcing a child to watch a sexual act
- child prostitution
Facts about child sexual abuse
- The exact figures for child sexual abuse are unknown.
- Most abuse is commmitted by someone the victim knows and trusts.
- People who sexually abuse children come from all walks of life. They can be male or female.
- Most child sex offending occurs within or close to the child's home.
- Sexual abuse can affect children for the rest of their lives.
Signs of child sexual abuse
Children will often say things, do things or exhibit physical signs that are clues to sexual abuse, even if they do not disclose the fact.
Some indicators of child sexual abuse include:
- displaying greater sexual knowledge than normally expected for their age
- playing sex games and being more preoccupied with sex talk and sex games than other children
- excessive masturbation or masturbation in public after kindergarten age
- drawing the sexual parts of bodies
- being afraid or upset when people talk about their bodies or sex
- running away
- destroying property
- hurting or mutilating animals
- creating stories, poems or artwork about the abuse
- difficulty with concentrating and being withdrawn or overly obedient
- having unexpected redness, soreness or injury around the penis, vagina, mouth or anus
- having torn, stained or bloody clothing, especially underwear.
Should any of the above be present, a child may need parents or other adults to keep them safe from further harm.
Protecting children from child sexual abuse
- Be suspicious if an adult wants to spend time alone with your child.
- Be wary of people who are overly affectionate or generous with gifts to your child.
- Be careful about the company your children keep. Watch children's behaviour for signs of stress - their reactions to certain individuals may be telling you something.
- Teach children about being safe in a way that does not frighten them.
- Teach children that parts of their bodies covered by underwear are private.
- Encourage children to tell someone they trust if anyone tries to touch their private parts.
- Teach children never to keep secrets that make them feel uncomfortable or bad, or if someone asks them to keep secrets about touching their private parts.
- Carefully consider who else you might want the children to tell if you are not available.
- Speak to children who are under school age about personal safety in simple language and repeat the same rules often. Play 'what if' games to reinforce the message.
- Teach children of primary school age basic family safety rules and how to apply them in potentially dangerous situations.
- Assist adolescents to think independently and to develop the skills of decision making and assertiveness.
- Know who is supervising your children when they are away from home.
- Listen to your children and trust what they say, even if it shocks you. Children rarely make up stories about sexual abuse.
Because you cannot be with them all the time
You have a right to know your children are safe. Ask organisations about their policies, activities and who is looking after your children.
Remember:
- People who work with children have an obligation to keep them safe.
- Most adults who work with children must have a blue card from the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian.
- Organisations should have written policies available to read showing how they respond to child sexual abuse allegations.
- Organisations must provide activities that are suited to the developmental stage of the children involved.
- Organisations must supervise all children in their care.
Where to get help
If you would like further details on child sexual abuse, a 36-page information booklet - Child sexual abuse - things you need to know (PDF 875 KB) - is available online or in most child safety service centres.
If you have reason to suspect a child is experiencing harm, report suspected child abuse immediately to the Department of Child Safety or Queensland Police Service.
- Last updated
- 3 August 2007
