At SpeakingOut against Child Sexual Abuse, Inc., we believe that anytime an adult (or even an older child) does anything to a child or in front of a child for their own sexual pleasure, this is Child Sexual Abuse. Children are not here for anyone's sexual pleasure. They are just that...Children. Sexual Predators of children violate the child's body and mind...they rob the child of their innocence. Understand that the Sexually Abused Child is always innocent...it is never the child's fault, regardless of their age.
"Any sexual activity perpetrated against a child by threat, force, intimidation or manipulation." (Sexual Assault Response Services @ www.sarsonline.org/defhelp_definitions.php)
"The sexual and emotional violation of a child by an adult, through verbal, visual or physical acts, abusing the relationship of power and authority that adults have over children." (IFSHA @ www.ifsha.org/glossary.htm)
"An act of assault or exploitation by a person who has authority over or the trust of a child." (MASA - Mothers Against Sexual Abuse @ www.againstsexualabuse.org)
Touching a child’s genitals (penis, testicles, vulva, breast or anus) for sexual pleasure or any other unnecessary reason.
Making a child tough someone else’s genitals
Playing sexual games with a child such as “pants down” games
Putting any object or body parts (like fingers, tongue or penis) inside the vagina, in the mouth or in the anus of a child for sexual pleasure or any other unnecessary reason.
Exposing a person’s genitals to a child.
Encouraging a child to watch or hear sexual acts either in person, on TV or on video.
Sexual Acts with animals
Watching a child undress or use the bathroom, often without the child’s knowledge (AKA Peeping Tom)
Showing pornography to a child.
Photographing or video taping a child in sexual poses.
Child Prostitution
Sexual Predators prey on children through the internet.
You can find instructions on the Internet on How to Sexually Abuse or Molest a child depending on their age. How sickening! What has our world come to?
The definition of a child varies depending on who you may be talking to and in fact, seems to be somewhat of a controversial issue. Some consider a child up to 13 years of age, while others consider a child up to 17 or 18 years of age. Still others say that determining if a minor is considered a child depends on the maturity of the minor and that it varies.
Here at SpeakingOut against Child Sexual Abuse, Inc., we believe a child is a child from Birth until which time they turn 18 years old, at a minimum. If you are a Parent, you may agree with this thinking as raising children shows that they are in need of parental guidance from the time they are born and at a minimum up until they graduate from High School. Obviously that doesn't mean that once a child turns 18 years old or graduates from High School that they do not need Parental advice. However, at that age, children become young adults who must begin to look at their future and what they want to do with it. Some go off to college, some join the military, some get a job and still others continue living at home. This is different for every person. But regardless of what they decide after High School, our control of them as Parents begins to diminish. They begin making much larger decisions on their own.
The Point... No one has the same decision-making skills, knowledge or abilities at age 20 as they do or will at age 40. And no "Child" has the same decision-making skills, knowledge or abilities as they do or will even at age 20.
This lack of decision-making skills, knowledge and abilities of a "Child" is what Sexual Predators take advantage of.
"The sexual and emotional violation of a child by an adult, through verbal, visual or physical acts, abusing the relationship of power and AUTHORITY that adults have over children." (IFSHA @ www.ifsha.org/glossary.htm)
Keyword... Authority
Not an all inclusive list...
Mothers Fathers Older Siblings Aunts Uncles Grandparents School Teachers Daycare Workers Sunday School Teachers Pastors Babysitters Coaches (Sports) Extra Curricular Instructors (Dance Instructors, Camp Guides, etc…) Child’s Friends Parents Adult Friends of Child’s Parents (aka “Friend of the family”) Physicians Psychologists Therapists Judges
Who is in authority over a child? The answer...
JUST ABOUT EVERYONE!
Fear
Love and/or Know the Person Abusing Them
Shame
Guilt
Lack of Understanding
Confusion
Blame Themselves
Don’t want to Upset a Loved One
Don’t Think Anyone will Believe Them; That's what they are being told.
Afraid of what a loved one might do to their Abuser
They told someone once & was not believed and/or protected
* NOBODY TALKS ABOUT THIS KIND OF THING *
By knowing all the reasons listed above and…
Manipulation
Threats
Intimidation
Affection
Gifts
Brainwashing
Etc…
Again, the lack of decision-making skills, knowledge and abilities of a "Child” is what Sexual Predators take advantage of.
Here at SpeakingOut against Child Sexual Abuse, Inc., we believe a child is a child from Birth until which time they turn 18 years old, at a minimum. If you are a Parent, you may agree with this thinking as raising children shows that they are in need of parental guidance from the time they are born and at a minimum up until they graduate from High School. Obviously that doesn't mean that once a child turns 18 years old or graduates from High School that they do not need Parental advice. However, at that age, children become young adults who must begin to look at their future and what they want to do with it. Some go off to college, some join the military, some get a job and still others continue living at home. This is different for every person. But regardless of what they decide after High School, our control of them as Parents begins to diminish. They begin making much larger decisions on their own. 
By knowing all the reasons listed above and… 
