Child sexual abuse

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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.[1][2] In addition to direct sexual contact, child sexual
abuse also occurs when an adult indecently exposes their genitalia to a child, asks or pressures a
child to engage in sexual activities, displays pornography to a child, or uses a child to produce
child pornography.[3][1][4]

Effects of child sexual abuse include depression,[5] post-traumatic stress disorder,[6] anxiety,[7]
propensity to re-victimization in adulthood,[8] and physical injury to the child, among other
problems.[9] 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.[10]

Approximately 20% to 25% of women and 5% to 15% of men were sexually abused when they
were children.[11][12][13][14][15] Most sexual abuse offenders are acquainted with their victims;
approximately 30% are relatives of the child, most often fathers, uncles or cousins; around 60%
are other acquaintances such as friends of the family, babysitters, or neighbors; strangers are the
offenders in approximately 10% of child sexual abuse cases. Most child sexual abuse is
committed by men; women commit approximately 14% of offenses reported against boys and
6% of offenses reported against girls.[11] Most offenders who abuse pre-pubescent children are
pedophiles,[16][17] however a small percentage do not meet the diagnostic criteria for pedophilia.[18]

Under the law, "child sexual abuse" is an umbrella term describing criminal and civil offenses in
which an adult engages in sexual activity with a minor or exploits a minor for the purpose of
sexual gratification.[19][4] The American Psychiatric Association states that "children cannot
consent to sexual activity with adults",[20][21] and condemns any such action by an adult: "An adult
who engages in sexual activity with a child is performing a criminal and immoral act which
never can be considered normal or socially acceptable behavior."[20]