2talk

Sexual abuse of a child is any sexual act, contact, interaction, exploitation or exposure involving a child. Under South African law, children cannot consent to sexual activity with adults.

Examples of child sexual abuse include:

• Sexual acts and contact
• Rape and sexual assault, including penetration of any kind.
• Incest and other sexual acts involving family members.
• Fondling or touching a child's genitals, breasts or buttocks for sexual purposes.
• Encouraging, coercing or forcing a child to touch another person's genitals or engage in sexual activity.

Violations of bodily privacy

• Forcing a child to undress.
• Watching a child while they are undressing, bathing or using the toilet for sexual purposes.
• Photographing or recording a child in a state of undress for sexual purposes.

Exposing children to sexual activity or sexually explicit content

• Performing sexual acts in front of a child.
• Exposing genitals to a child.
• Engaging a child in sexual conversations.
• Showing a child sexually explicit material.

Commercial sexual exploitation

• Using a child for prostitution, trafficking or any other form of sexual exploitation.

Child sexual abusers can be:

• Fathers, mothers, siblings or other relatives.
• Childcare professionals or babysitters.
• Clergy, teachers or sports coaches.
• Foster parents or host families.
• Older children or adolescents.
• Strangers.

In most cases, children are sexually abused by someone they know and trust.

Regardless of a child's behaviour, appearance or reactions, responsibility always lies with the person who commits the abuse. Sexual abuse is never the child's fault.

Children who have been sexually abused may display one or more of the following signs:

• Age-inappropriate knowledge of sexual behaviour or sexual acts.
• Sexualised behaviour that is unusual for the child's age or developmental stage.
• Avoidance of discussions about sexuality or discomfort with their own body.
• Sudden changes in behaviour, including becoming unusually compliant, withdrawn, anxious or aggressive.
• Fear of, reluctance to be alone with, or strong emotional reactions towards a particular person.
• Nightmares, sleep disturbances or bedwetting.
• Unexplained mood changes, depression or anxiety.
• Regression to younger behaviours, such as thumb-sucking or clinginess.
• Self-harm, risk-taking behaviour or suicidal thoughts in older children.
• Difficulty concentrating or a sudden decline in school performance.

It is important to remember that these signs do not automatically indicate sexual abuse. However, if several signs are present, or if there are concerns about a child's safety, the situation should be taken seriously and appropriate support should be sought.

Resources 

Emotional abuse occurs when a child is repeatedly exposed to behaviour, attitudes, or actions that harm their emotional well-being, self-worth, sense of safety, or healthy development. It can be caused by what a person does, says, or fails to do.

Unlike physical abuse, emotional abuse may leave no visible injuries, but its effects can be profound and long-lasting. Emotional abuse is often present alongside other forms of abuse, such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect or exploitation.

Emotional abuse may include:

• Constant criticism, humiliation or belittling of a child.
• Name-calling, insults, threats or verbal attacks.
• Rejection, ignoring or isolating a child.
• Exposing a child to domestic violence, substance abuse or criminal behaviour.
• Excessive control, intimidation or manipulation.
• Making a child feel unwanted, unloved or worthless.
• Unrealistic expectations or constant pressure to perform.
• Threatening abandonment or harm.
• Corrupting, exploiting or encouraging harmful behaviour.
•  Withholding affection, support or emotional care.
• Family members or relatives.
• Teachers, coaches or other authority figures.
• Siblings.
• Peers, friends or romantic partners.
• Bullies at school, online or within social groups.
• Psychological maltreatment.
• Verbal abuse.
• Mental abuse.

Who Can Emotionally Abuse a Child?
Emotional abuse can be perpetrated by adults or by other children and young people. This may include: Parents, guardians, or caregivers.

Other Terms Used for Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse may also be referred to as psychological abuse.

Possible Signs of Emotional Abuse
Children who are experiencing emotional abuse may not show obvious physical signs. Instead, the impact is often seen in their emotions, behaviour, relationships and development.

Some possible signs include:

• Low self-esteem or a poor sense of self-worth.
• Excessive fear, anxiety or worry.
• Depression, sadness or frequent crying.
• Withdrawal from friends, family or social activities.
• Difficulty trusting others or forming healthy relationships.
• Extreme behaviour, such as aggression, anger or over-compliance.
• Seeking constant approval, reassurance or affection.
• Delayed emotional, social or developmental growth.
• Difficulty concentrating or a decline in school performance.
• Self-harm, suicidal thoughts or other high-risk behaviours.
• Frequent complaints of headaches, stomach aches or other stress-related symptoms without a clear medical cause.
• Age-inappropriate behaviour, either overly mature or unusually immature for their age.
• Lack of confidence and reluctance to try new activities.
• Feelings of worthlessness, hopelessness or being unloved.
• Excessive people-pleasing or fear of making mistakes.