Incest and Child Sexual Abuse: Definitions, Perpetrators,
Victims, and Effects
Definition of Child Sexual Abuse
Child sexual abuse is any form of sexual activity with a child
by an adult, or by another child where there is no consent or
consent is not possible; or by another child who has power over
the child. By this definition, it is possible for a child to be
sexually abused by another child who is younger than they are.
Sexual abuse includes, but is not limited to, showing a child
pornographic materials, placing the child's hand on another
person's genitals, touching a child's genitals, and/or
penetration of any orifice of a child's body (mouth, vagina,
anus) with a penis, finger, or an object of any sort.
Penetration does not have to occur for it to be sexual abuse.
Who are the Perpetrators?
Perpetrators are most often someone the child knows and trusts.
As far as we know, perpetrators, are most often male relatives,
including fathers, brothers, grandfathers, uncles and cousins;
friends of the family; or neighbours. Perpetrators can also be
female, including mothers, sisters, aunts, babysitters, and
grandmothers.
Usually the perpetrator has easy access to the child because
s/he has sole responsibility for the child, or takes care of or
visits the child, and is trusted by the child's parents.
Where Does Sexual Abuse Occur?
Sexual abuse or incest can occur anywhere, at any time,
including in front of other people who do not, or choose to not
see. I have heard many stories of children being abused while
other people were in the next room, in a car with them, or
sitting at a dinner table.
Who is Sexually Abused?
All children are vulnerable to sexual abuse. Sexual abuse and
incest occur in every race, class, religion, culture, and
country.
Once a child has been sexually abused, and has not received
appropriate help, support, and understanding for what has
happened, s/he can be particularly vulnerable to being sexually
abused again by another perpetrator. This is not the fault of
the child. This is due to the fact that she has learned that
sexual abuse is something that people will and can do to her/his
body.
Children whose emotional needs are not met--who are emotionally
deprived, or otherwise abused--can also be more vulnerable
because they need attention and some perpetrators exploit that
need. Again, this is not the child's fault. The child did not
create the fact that her/his needs were not met, nor the fact
that someone exploited that need.
Homophobia puts lesbian and gay youth at risk of sexual abuse.
Many gay youth are forced to go to adult clubs, bars and other
settings in order to explore their sexuality and to meet other
prople who are gay. By being in an adult setting they are more
likely to be exploited (just as heterosexual girls would be at
risk in an adult heterosexual setting). Also, it is unlikely
that gay youth will tell anyone if they are abused because they
would have to reveal that they were in a gay setting. With
little or no access to information about gay sexuality, many
youth misinterpret abuse experiences as representing what it
means to be gay. This puts them at further risk.
Different Effects and Coping Strategies of Child Sexual Abuse
The effects of child sexual abuse are wide ranging, and vary
from survivor to survivor depending on a number of different
factors such as the age of the victim, the duration of the
abuse, the number of perpetrators, the nature of the
relationship with the perpetrator, and the severity of the
assault.
I always hesitant to write that last one--the severity of the
assault--because all abuse is traumatic and harmful to victims.
I have known women quite traumatized by their breasts being
repeatedly grabbed when they were a child. While this may not be
as severe as some other forms of abuse, it can have strong and
long-lasting effects. It's important to remember that while
being assaulted in a more violent manner does have its own
specific effects, it in no way minimizes the reality and
experience of others who have not experienced that kind of
violence.
Emotional Effects
Includes feelings of: confusion, powerlessness, helplessness,
pain, betrayal, sadness, grief, loss, feeling dirty, shame,
vulnerable, unsafe, scared, terrified, horrified, depressed,
angry, numb from feelings and body, suspicious, untrusting,
tortured, sensitive, emotional, hurt, panic, anxiety, and
feeling miserable.
Beliefs About Self
Beliefs about one