What Is Sexual Abuse?
When sexual behavior is committed without another person’s informed consent, it can have a damaging effect on the victim. Many terms fall under the umbrella of sexual misconduct, so it is crucial to understand definitions, especially when considering legal action against the perpetrator. In this guide, we will answer the question, “What is sexual abuse?”
If you are a victim of unwanted conduct of a sexual nature, then you may have a right to pursue financial compensation with a civil lawsuit. The Injury Lawyer Team will stand by your side during the claims process to protect your rights and fight for a fair settlement to cover your legal damages.
What Types of Sexual Violence Constitute Abuse?
Sexual abuse is defined as a person knowingly causing another person to engage in a sexual act by threatening or using fear against the victim. It can also involve a sexual act against someone unable to give consent, such as a minor or an adult with a mental disability.
According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys are sexually abused as children. According to the United States Sentencing Commission, there were over 1,400 criminal cases of sexual abuse in 2024 in the country.
Different types of sexual abuse can include assault, production of child pornography, oral penetration, penetration with a body part or other object, rape, forcibly touching a sex organ, and any contact that leads to sexual gratification.
Sexual Assault
There are some relevant differentiators when comparing sexual abuse vs sexual assault.
Sexual abuse involves conduct of a sexual nature, often when there is a power imbalance, such as a teacher and a student or a caregiver and a patient. It can even involve an older family member with a child.
Sexual assault is a type of abuse that includes threats, coercion, physical force, manipulation, or forced intoxication. Although assault is a violent form of abuse, not all types of abuse are considered assault.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is a type of sexual violence that is not always physical. It can include inappropriate jokes, comments about a person’s body or appearance, sexual communications in a workplace, requests for sexual favors, and exposing someone to lewd imagery. Harassment often involves a power dynamic and quid pro quo elements, where the offender requests a sexual act in exchange for positive outcomes for the victim.
Rape
Rape is also a type of sexual assault and involves the forced penetration of a vagina, anus, or mouth with a body part or object, no matter how slight. The lack of consent from the victim could also be due to being mentally or physically incapacitated.
What Are the Mental Health Effects on Victims Who Experience Childhood Sexual Abuse?
A person who is sexually abused as a child may experience severe physical and psychological consequences. Unlike other types of personal injuries, the psychological distress caused by child sexual abuse can stick with the survivor for the rest of their life.
Trauma from sexual misconduct can cause numerous emotional health challenges, including depression, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), sleep problems, suicide ideation, and anxiety.
Unwanted sexual activity can lead to lifelong suffering in many cases. However, victims of abuse may be able to pursue civil action against the perpetrators to hold them accountable and fight for fair compensation for legal damages. The Injury Lawyer team will support you throughout the legal process.
How Injury Lawyer Team Can Help Victims of Child Sexual Abuse
If you have experienced unwanted sexual contact, you may have grounds for a lawsuit against the at-fault party. After the person engaged in inappropriate behavior, you could suffer legal damages like emotional distress, pain and suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, or medical expenses for treatment.
Our dedicated law firm can provide the following legal services to help you recover a fair settlement for these losses:
- Investigating the incident
- Gathering evidence that you were sexually abused
- Consulting psychological health experts
- Assessing legal damages
- Litigating in civil court
- Working on a contingency fee basis (you don’t pay unless we win)
Contact us today at 866-757-6452 or complete the online form to schedule a free consultation about your sexual abuse lawsuit.
All content undergoes thorough legal review by experienced attorneys, including Jonathan Rosenfeld. With 25 years of experience in personal injury law and over 100 years of combined legal expertise within our team, we ensure that every article is legally accurate, compliant, and reflects current legal standards.