Child sexual abuse is any contact or interaction (physical, visual, verbal or psychological) between a child/adolescent and an adult when the child/adolescent is being used for the sexual stimulation of the perpetrator or any other person. This is sometimes referred to as molestation, especially when referring to children. If the victim is younger than the age of consent, it is referred to as "child sexual abuse." Examples include fondling, indecent exposure, intercourse (also referred to as statutory rape if the victim is under the age of consent), exposure to pornography, taking nude photographs, oral sex, sodomy, and prostitution.

Child sexual abuse can take place within the family, like a parent, step parent, sibling or other relative; but it could also be outside the family such as a friend, neighbor, child care person, teacher, or stranger. If the child is at least five years old and cares for the abuser, he/she becomes trapped between affection and loyalty to the abuser but feelings at strong sense that the sexual activities are wrong. Frequently, the abuser threatens the child with violence or withholding love. This places the child in a position of fear about telling anyone about the abuse.

Most sexual abusers are men, but about 5% of them are women. More than 70% of users are family members or someone very close to the family.  As strange as it may seem, sometimes the victim will feel a strong sense of love and try to protect the sexual perpetrator. This is because in a strange way, the sexual attention makes the child feel "special."

A child who has been sexually abused always carries some difficulties and problems thereafter. Remember that it is not just females who are sexually abused. The percentages of males who are abused is on the rise. Feelings often associated with having been abused include shame, low self-esteem, feeling worthless, and distorted views of sexuality.

Signs that a child may be a victim of sexual abuse include:

• withdrawal and mistrust of adults
• suicidality
• difficulty relating to others except in sexual or seductive ways
• unusual interest in things that are sexual or physical
• sleep problems, nightmares, fears of going to bed
• secretiveness or unusual aggressiveness
• sexual components to drawings and games
• obsessions, compulsions, or phobias
• drug or alcohol problems
• eating disorders
• extreme fear of being touched
• unwillingness to submit to a physical examination
• unusual sexual knowledge or behavior
• forcing sexual acts on the other children
• prostitution
• difficulty walking or sitting
• torn, stained or bloody clothing
• pain or unusual itching and genital area
• bruises or bleeding in the genital area or mouth

It is important to get professional help for any child that has been the victim of sexual abuse.

There are also symptoms that can be identified in adults who were abused as children. It is not unusual for a sexual abuse survivor to deny that the sexual abuse has anything to do with the current problems in his or her life. These problems may include:

• Low self-esteem, depression, self destructiveness (suicidal gestures and self mutilation), shame, guilt, constantly searching for the approval of others
• difficulty trusting others, difficulty with boundaries and appropriate roles in relationships

• rage

• difficulty forming healthy relationships
• anxiety, fear, panic attacks
• becoming a victim again (difficulty saying no), which usually includes difficulty with boundaries in relationships
• sleep problems, including fear of the dark, sleeping alone or frequent nightmares
• difficulty with swallowing, gagging
• poor body image
• poor self-image
• bulimia, or compulsive overeating
• alcoholism, drug addiction, or process addiction (addiction treatment professionals have determined that a large percentage of their patients have been through some type of sexual abuse)
• anxiety disorders
• sexual problems, issues, or extremes
• difficulty with it and see
• issues regarding control or abandonment
• cluster B personality disorders
• blocking memories, especially before the age of 12
• flashbacks, sometimes accompanied by denial
• symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Getting professional help is always recommended when symptoms appear that are impairing an individual's capacity to lead life normally.
The most damaging form of adult sexual abuse is rape. Rape is the forceful act of sexual intercourse against persons will or consent. Rape is frequently carried out by someone known to the victim and can even occur within a marriage. Anal intercourse or oral forms of sex may accompany rape. Most rapes were committed by men between the ages of 20 and 50. More than 50% of rapes in the United States occur against females under age 18. About half of all rapes are caused by men known to the victim. In more than one third of cases of rape, the male, the female, or both were using alcohol.