What is child sexual abuse?

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is defined as any activity in which an adult or an older child uses a younger child in a sexual way.

Types of child sexual abuse

CSA could be in the form of:

• An adult gaining sexual satisfaction through watching naked children.
• An adult making suggestive comments to the child that are sexual in nature
• An adult revealing his or her sexual parts to a child.
• Encouraging or forcing a child to read/watch pornography, giving pornographic literature, pictures or movies to a child or using the child in pornographic material (i.e. photos, videos, etc)
• Kissing a child with sexual undertones/inclinations.
• Fondling a child's breasts or genitals or if an abuser forces a child to fondle his or her genitals.
• Encouraging or forcing a child to masturbate with the adult as either a participant or observer.
• Encouraging or forcing a child into oral sex (using one's own or the child's mouth in a sexual act)
• Vaginal penetration
• Anal penetration

Who is a Child? According to the Child Rights Convention (CRC) to which Pakistan is a signatory, a child is defined as an individual below 18 years of age.

Sex Offender: A person in a position of power who uses and manipulates a child through sexual means

Victim: A child currently going through and dealing with child sexual abuse.

Survivor: A child or adult who has experienced sexual abuse in the past and the abuse is not currently going on.

Incest: Any form of sexual abuse where the perpetrator is related to the child by blood or by law.

Things we must know about Child Sexual Abuse : Click here for Some Myths and Facts on CSA

Effects of Child Sexual Abuse

How can we tell that a child may be a victim?

Child sexual abuse tends to have numerous, multifarious effects on the victims and survivors. These effects can be emotional, psychological and physical.

The SUDDEN occurrence of any of the following problems for no other apparent reason:

Physical Symptoms 

• Various infections, itching, bleeding, urinary tract infections
• Bruises, marks, cuts, laceration etc. in genital areas 
• Gastrointestinal disturbances
• Vaginal/ penile discharge
• Venereal diseases
• Poor sphincter tone

Behavioral/Emotional Symptoms

• Sleep disturbances, bed-wetting, nightmares
• Age-inappropriate sexual awareness or sexual activity with self, toys, peers, adults
• Substance abuse (drugs, etc.)
• Spending too much time with certain adults 
• Difficulty walking
• Eating problems
• Drop in academic performance   
• Under-confidence, staying quiet a lot
• Phobias/ fears, especially of certain adults or places
• Behaving like a much younger child
• Aggression/excessive crying
• Delinquent behavior (stealing, excessive lying, running away, etc.)
• Suicidal ideation or attempts
• Relationship problems  

Remember these symptoms are a sign of some emotional disturbances in the child. This emotional disturbance may be due to some academic problem or domestic problem, like fights between parents at home etc. and it can be due to sexual abuse. If a child exhibits any of these symptoms it is important for parents to check out why the sudden change of behavior has occurred.