Sexual abuse causes harm to the child through sexual contact; often being forced, tricked or coerced into sexual activities. They might not understand that what is happening is abuse, and they might be afraid or embarrassed to tell someone. Sexual abuse can happen anywhere. Sexual abuse can involve a wide range of abusive behaviours and acts. It may, but does not necessarily involve making physical contact with the child and can take place in person or online. Sexual abuse includes:

• Any form of penetrative sex
• Sexual touching (which may, but does not necessarily involve touching the genitalia)
• Kissing
• Forcing or coercing a child to take part in sexual activities, including masturbation
• Indecent exposure or making the child undress or otherwise expose themselves
• Exposing the child to sexual acts, whether in person or using photographs or video, including sex between consenting adults
  • This would include mainstream films or TV shows that include sex scenes
• Forcing, coercing or tricking a child into making, viewing or sharing child abuse images or videos
• Voyerism, sexting and upskirting
• Grooming

As can be seen from this list, sexual abuse covers a wide range of activities. It may involve performing a sex act on a child, forcing or coercing a child to engage in a sex act with someone else (including another child) or exposing the child to sex acts (either in person or using video or pictures).