What is Child Sexual Abuse?
Child sexual abuse is the exploitation of a child for sexual gratification by an adult or an older person. It is called incest if it involves sexual intercourse between family members including fathers, grandfathers, uncles, brothers and other relatives as stipulated in the law.
Child sexual abuse should not be confused with physical contact between an adult and a child that are fond of each other, or playful expressions of love. Responsible adults limit their physical exchange with a child, respect the child, and at the same time, maintain a warm, healthy, affectionate relationship.
According to parliamentary statistics, in 2017, out of the total number of 1,535 reported cases of rape, over 80% of the victims were children, i.e., below the age of 18 years old. Most of the perpetrators or abusers are usually people known to the child, such as fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers and other relatives, teachers, and neighbours.
Sexual abuse can happen to any child, regardless of gender. A sexually abused child feels that their life is different from that of other children. The child might experience emotions such as:
Fear
- of the abuser
- of causing trouble
- of losing adults important to them
- of being taken away from home
- of being “different”
Anger
- at the abuser
- at other adults around them who did not protect them
- at themselves (feeling as if they have caused trouble)
Isolation
- because something is wrong with them
- because they feel alone in their experience
- because they have trouble talking about the abuse
Sadness
- about having something taken from them
- about losing a part of themselves
- about growing up too fast
- about being betrayed by someone they trust
Guilt
- for not being able to stop the abuse
- for believing they “consented” to the abuse
- for keeping the secret
Shame
- about being involved in the experience
- about their bodies’ response to the abuse
Confusion
- because they may still love the abuser
- because their feelings change all the time
Recognising Child Sexual Abuse Signs and Symptoms
A child who is sexually abused will show signs or indicators of that abuse, be it overtly or in a more reserved manner. You may have difficulty identifying a sexually abused child if he or she doesn’t tell you directly. Observe their behaviour if you suspect the child has been sexually abused.
Physical signs:
- Reddening or itching of genital or anus
- Pain or injury of genitals or anus
- Pain in passing urine
- Vaginal or penile discharge
- Abdominal pains
- Venereal diseases
- Pregnancy
Behavioural signs:
- Clinging behaviour/thumb-sucking
- Withdrawal
- Bed-wetting inappropriate for age
- Truancy/poor school performance
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Excessive masturbation
- Seductive behaviour/sexual knowledge and activities inappropriate for age
- Suicide attempts
Psychological or psychosomatic signs:
- Headache/ stomachache
- Chest pain/ fatigue
- Insomnia
- Tearfulness/ irrational fears/ hysteria
- Appetite loss
- Lack of concentration
- Low self-esteem
Types of Child Sexual Abuse
Child sexual abuse can happen in any form. It includes:
Physical
- Molesting a child (e.g. touching child’s breast, genitals or anus, make the child to touch her own body or the offenders body for sexual pleasures, etc)
- Having vaginal or anal intercourse or attempted intercourse
- Having oral intercourse or attempted oral intercourse
- Exploiting a child through prostitution and/or pornography
Non-physical
- Showing pornography to a child
- Exposing themselves to a child
- Sexually communicating with a child or encouraging a child to sexually communicate (directly or through online)
- Encouraging a child to perform sexual acts
- Performing sexual acts in a child’s presence
- Photographing a child in sexual poses
Child Grooming
Grooming is the act of befriending and establishing an emotional connection with a child to prepare the child for sexual abuse. It is a process of an adult trying to access or to get close to the child with sexual intention by gaining the trust of the child or family members.
Grooming can take place both in reality and online. In reality, the adult first gains the trust of the child or family members so that he is less likely to be accused of any sexual abuse allegations. Such as, voluntarily helping the family in terms of monetary favours, offering to babysit the child, give gifts or money to the child in exchange for sexual contact and then start showing pornographic materials to the child, etc.
In online, the abuser may communicate with the child through social media to befriend or pretends to be a friend to the child and form a trusted relationship. Sometimes they will create fake profiles to befriend and pose themselves as a different person to the child, chat with the child and make arrangements to meet in person.
With the passing of the Sexual Offences Against Children Act in 2017, child grooming is now a punishable offence. (Refer Laws in Malaysia Section)
Check out books, posters & pamphlets and videos on Child Sexual Abuse.