What are child sexual offences?
Child sexual abuse occurs when a person — whether an adult, adolescent, or another child — uses their power, authority, or influence to force, pressure, manipulate, or persuade a child to take part in sexual activity. These acts can occur in person, online, or over the phone, and may involve physical, verbal, or emotional behaviours.
Abuse can involve both contact and non-contact acts, such as:
- Sexual acts: engaging in oral, penetrative, or non-penetrative sexual activity with a child or young person under 16.
- Inappropriate touching: kissing, holding, or fondling a child, whether they are clothed or unclothed.
- Grooming: building trust with a child, family, or community to create opportunities for abuse. This may include giving gifts, offering attention, or forming emotional connections to lower a child’s boundaries.
- Sexual exposure: performing sexual acts, watching pornography, or exposing genitals in front of a child.
- Sexual coercion: pressuring or forcing a child to perform sexual acts in person or online (e.g., over a webcam or recording device).
- Child sexual exploitation: creating, sharing, or possessing sexual images or videos of children.
- Sexualised communication: speaking to or messaging a child in a sexual, suggestive, or obscene way.
- Invasion of privacy: persistently watching or entering a child’s personal space (e.g., when dressing or bathing).
Child sexual abuse is never the child's fault. It often occurs through manipulation, secrecy, and gradual trust-building, which is why early education and open communication are key to prevention.