Sexual Abuse – unwanted sexual activity with
perpetrators using force, making threats or
taking advantage of victims not able to give
consent.
Victim’s immediate reaction to incident include
shock, fear, or disbelief.
Long term reactions include anxiety, fear, or
PTSD
Source: apa.org
Common residual symptoms of a child or
adolescent being abused include:
 Anger Management
 Isolation
 Depression
 Eating Disorders
 Body Image Problems
 Workaholic
 Substance Abuse
Residual Symptoms, cont.
 Sexual Dysfunction or Confusion
 Self-Mutilation
 Sleep Disorders
 Hyper vigilance
 Anxiety and Fear
 Dysfunctional Relationships
 Low Self-Esteem
 Intimacy and Trust Issues
Source: focusonthefamily.com
Touching Offenses
 Fondling
 Making a child touch an adult’s sexual organs
 Penetrating a child’s vagina or anus with a
penis or any object that does not have a valid
medical purpose
 Intercourse or any deviations
Source: americanhumane.org
Non-touching Offenses
 Indecent Exposure or Exhibitionism
 Exposing children to pornographic material
 Deliberately exposing a child to the act of
sexual intercourse
 Masturbating in front of a child
Source: americanhumane.org
Sexual Exploitation
 Engaging a child or soliciting a child for
prostitution
 Using a child to film, photograph, or model
pornography
Source: americanhumane.org





Can be difficult
Usually the victim’s statements and
testimony are the only evidence
Definitive, objective evidence in a case is rare
Many times, child’s claims are rejected due to
uncertainty and confusion
Discovered via direct disclosure or indirect
methods
Source: americanhumane.org
Reporting is key!
 If you suspect, you must protect!
 Report to local authorities, school, or child
protective service
 “Reasonable suspicion” based on objective
evidence, which could be firsthand observation or
statements made by a parent or child, is all that is
needed to report.
Source: americanhumane.org
Rape – forced sexual intercourse including
vaginal, anal, or oral penetration.
80% of rapes occur by no other weapon than
physical force
Source: rainn.org
3 Considerations if Rape Occurred:
1. Age of Consent
2.
Ability to Consent
3.
Did both parties consent?

NO means STOP no matter what!
Source: rainn.org
Date Rape
 Situation when two parties have a preexisting relationship
 Even if intercourse was consensual in the past
each sexual interaction is a separate instance
in which both parties must consent.
Source: rainn.org

Victims should get to a safe place

Call 911 and follow the operator’s instructions
Source: rainn.org
Preserving evidence is vital to prosecution!
DO NOT
 Bathe or shower
 Use the restroom
 Change clothes
 Comb hair
 Clean up the crime scene
 Move anything the offender may have
touched
Source: rainn.org
Medical Attention will be required
 Forensic Medical Exam with specialized
medical staff
▪ A victim may choose to decline any part of the exam but
total collection of evidence is extremely important.

Rape Kit
Source: rainn.org
Under the Violence Against Women and
Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of
2005, states may not
“require a victim of sexual assault to participate
in the criminal justice system or cooperate
with law enforcement in order to be provided
with a forensic medical exam, reimbursement
for charges incurred on account of such an
exam, or both.”
Source: rainn.org