What is child sexual abuse?

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Child sexual abuse involves a range of behaviour which occurs when an adult uses power or authority over a child to involve the child in sexual activity.

Sexual abuse can include:

• Unwanted touching in a sexual way, for example, fondling a child's penis.
• Oral sex
• Anal penetration by a finger, penis or other object.
• Masturbating in front of a child or getting a child to masturbate an adult.
• Making a child pose for or look at pornographic pictures.

Sexual abuse of children may involve a single event or be ongoing. It may involve one or more perpetrators. It may or may not include force or physical violence.

Child sexual abuse is a crime and a child should never be held responsible for the abuse.

The use of the term 'child' in this booklet includes adolescents.

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Disclaimer Copyright Updated: 21 May 2010