Information about Sexually Abused

Sexual abuse (also referred to as molestation) is defined as the forcing of undesired sexual acts by one person to another. The term incest is defined as sexual abuse between family members, and the euphemism "bad touch" is sometimes used to describe such abuse. (Renvoizé 1982)

Different types of sexual abuse involve:

• Non-consensual, forced physical sexual behavior such as rape or sexual assault
• Psychological forms of abuse, such as verbal sexual behavior or stalking.
• The use of a position of trust for sexual purposes.

Signs of sexual abuse

• Unexplained injuries (especially to parts of the female body that can be covered by a two-piece swimsuit)
• Torn or stained clothing or underwear
• Pregnancy
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Unexplained behavioral problems
• Depression
• Self abuse and/or suicidal behavior
• Drug and/or alcohol abuse
• Sudden loss of interest in sexual activity
• Sudden increase of sexual behavior

Spousal sexual abuse

Main article: Spousal abuse

Spousal abuse is the term applied to the specific form of domestic violence, where physical or sexual abuse is perpetrated by one spouse upon another. Frequently this involves forced sex (spousal rape) upon a spouse without their consent. [1]

Sexual abuse of minors

Main article: Child sexual abuse

In the majority of cultures and countries, sex is legal and acceptable only if both parties give consent.

The age of consent, that is, the age at which the law presumes a person has the physical, emotional and sexual maturity to make an informed adult decision to enter into sexual activity, differs from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, from early teens in Italy and Spain to mid and late teens elsewhere (for example, 16 in the United Kingdom and 17 in Ireland). Some states also provide different ages of consent for homosexual boys than heterosexual boys and girls. Yet separately the law may specify a different age where a teenager ceases to be a child and becomes an adult. As a result, where a difference exists, it may be perfectly legal to have sex with a child where the individual, though still deemed a child in law, is above the age of consent specified in local legislation. In most cases, the age of consent and statutory rape laws aim at protecting children and teenagers from exploitation, particularly physical or psychological exploitation involving sexual behavior.

References

Further reading

• Bass, Ellen and Laura Davis, 1988 (3rd ed. 1994). The Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse. Harper Collins Publishers.
• Aba, C. (1992). Sexual Assaults on Students. London: Harper and Row.
• Billie Wright Dzeich and Linda Weiner, 1984 (2nd ed. 1990). The Lecherous Professor: Sexual Harassment on Campus. Boston: Beacon Press.
• Doris Van Stone, (1990). No Place to Cry: The Hurt and Healing of Sexual Abuse. Moody Publishers.
• Wishart, G.D. (2003) The Sexual Abuse of People with Learning Difficulties: Do We Need A Social Model Approach To Vulnerability?, Journal of Adult Protection, Volume 5 (Issue 3)

Retrieved from "

External links

• Survivor Matters - Support site with forum, created by survivors for survivors
• The Lighthouse Sanctuary - Support for sexual abuse sufferers and survivors
• RAINN - The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
• Survivors Hope A website with forums, chat rooms and information
• Sexual Abuse of Males website
• Pandora's Aquarium A message board, chat room, and online support group for rape and sexual abuse survivors
• Surviving Childhood Sexual Abuse
• Liberated From Abuse--Sexual Abuse Education
• The Awareness Centerthe Jewish Coalition Against Sexual Abuse/Assault (JCASA)
• Living With Your Partner's PTSD: When The Woman You Love is a Victim