What is sexual abuse?
You don't have to use this in your website but, because i’ve been there, the advice i would give to someone that had been abused, and they didn't know what to do. Is to remember it isn't there fault, which i think has been mentioned. If they can tell as many people as they can so they can get more and more support like i did, because the more you talk about it, the more it get's out of your system.
Written by a 15 year old in counselling
Sexual abuse of children can happen in many different ways:
It may include:
- Touching – an adult touching a child in a sexual way or making a child touch them in a sexual way.
- Sexual intercourse
- Showing or using pornographic pictures or films.
- Forcing or encouraging a child to undress or watch sexual acts.
- Forcing or encouraging a child to act in a sexual way.
If you feel uncomfortable and have a feeling inside that something is wrong then trust your instinct and remove yourself from the situation if you can.
If you can’t stop what is happening there and then, it is important to tell a trusted adult as soon as you can. You can look at our section on
Where Do I Go for Help? for some ideas about who else you can tell.