Sexual abuse covers a wide range of behaviors. Regardless of where the abuse falls on the spectrum, no one type is “less” abusive than any other; all abuse has traumatic consequences to the victim.
Sexual abuse may be a one-time isolated event, or it may occur regularly over a period of time. Sexual abuse does not have to involve physical contact between the victim and the abuser.
| Covert sexual abuse | Sexualized relationshipSexualized interest in victim’s bodySexualized jokes, comments, harassment”Romantic” relationshipDiscussion of sexual activity |
| Overt sexual abuse | Pre-touching phaseVoyeurismExhibitionismInflicting pornography on victimSexualized kissing and fondlingVictim is passive recipientVictim activity is forcedOral-genital contactDigital penetration of vagina or anusVaginal rape with penisAnal rape with penisVaginal/anal rape with objectsExploitationSadistic activityRitualistic abuse |
Adapted from material developed by H. Ramsey-Klawsnik.