Sexual Assault, Child Survivors of

Child sexual abuse (CSA) refers to an adult or adolescent using a child for sexual stimulation. This includes any sexual contact between an adult and a minor or sexual contact between two minors with one exerting power over the other. CSA includes contact offenses (e.g., fondling, touching of sexual organs, penetration of the vagina or anus), noncontact offenses (e.g., exhibitionism, voyeurism, exposing a child to sexual activity), or sexual exploitation (e.g., soliciting a child for prostitution, child pornography). While not all offenses directly involve physical touch with the child, all forms of CSA can have devastating effects on a child’s well-being. This entry provides an overview of CSA, discusses the impact of sexual abuse on child survivors, and briefly introduces treatment options for victims.