Sexual Abuse

1. Sexual Abuse

2. Sexual Abuse 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

3. Sexual Abuse in the Family Common residual symptoms of a child or adolescent being abused include: • Anger Management • Isolation • Depression • Eating Disorders • Body Image Problems • Workaholic • Substance Abuse

4. Sexual Abuse in the Family 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

5. What is Child Sexual Abuse? 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

6. What is Child Sexual Abuse? 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

7. What is Child Sexual Abuse? Sexual Exploitation • Engaging a child or soliciting a child for prostitution • Using a child to film, photograph, or model pornography Source: americanhumane.org

8. Proving Sexual Abuse • 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

9. Reporting 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

10. Rape Rape – forced sexual intercourse including vaginal, anal, or oral penetration. 80% of rapes occur by no other weapon than physical force Source: rainn.org

11. Rape 3 Considerations if Rape Occurred: • Age of Consent • Ability to Consent • Did both parties consent? • NO means STOP no matter what! Source: rainn.org

12. Rape Date Rape • Situation when two parties have a pre-existing 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

13. Immediately After Rape • Victims should get to a safe place • Call 911 and follow the operator’s instructions Source: rainn.org

14. Immediately After Rape 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

15. After Rape 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

16. Rape and the Law 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