Sexual abuse is one form of child abuse. It includes a wide range of actions between a child and an adult or older child. Often these involve body contact, but not always. Exposing one's genitals to children or pressuring them for sex is sexual abuse. Using a child for pornography is also sexual abuse.
Most sexual abusers know the child they abuse. They may be family friends, neighbors or babysitters. About one-third of abusers are related to the child. Most abusers are men. If you think a child may have been abused, it's important to report it.
Child Sexual Abuse(American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry)
Also available in Spanish
Overviews
Child Sexual Abuse(National Center for PTSD)
Sexual Abuse(Children's Bureau)
Sexual Exploitation of Children(National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms(Children's Bureau)
Also available in Spanish
Parent's Guide to Internet Safety(Federal Bureau of Investigation)
Preventing Child Sexual Abuse(Prevent Child Abuse America) - PDF
Sexual Abuse: Prevention(American Academy of Pediatrics)
Parenting a Child Who Has Been Sexually Abused: A Guide for Foster and Adoptive Parents(Children's Bureau)
What to Do If a Child Discloses Sexual Exploitation(National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
What Is Child Pornography(National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
What Is Extra-Familial Child Sexual Molestation?(National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
What Is Online Enticement of Children for Sexual Acts(National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
What Is Sex Tourism Involving Children?(National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
What Is the Prostitution of Children?(National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)
Innocent Images National Initiative(Federal Bureau of Investigation)
Questions and Answers about Memories of Childhood Abuse(American Psychological Association)
Understanding Child Traumatic Stress(National Child Traumatic Stress Network)
Also available in Spanish