Westmorland and Furness Safeguarding Children Partnership

Sexual abuse

Understanding sexual abuse

Sexual abuse is any sexual activity involving a child, whether it includes physical contact or not such as grooming, exposure to explicit material, or online exploitation. This can also involve resignation and coercion, where children are manipulated into thinking it is consensual. Abusers gain power through trust, secrecy, or fear.

The current DfE definition for CSE is:

'Child sexual exploitation is a form of child sexual abuse. It occurs where an individual or group takes advantage of an imbalance of power to coerce, manipulate or deceive a child or young person under the age of 18 into sexual activity (a) in exchange for something the victim needs or wants, and/or (b) for the financial advantage or increased status of the perpetrator or facilitator. The victim may have been sexually exploited even if the sexual activity appears consensual. Child sexual exploitation does not always involve physical contact; it can also occur through the use of technology.'

It is never the child's fault. The responsibility lies entirely with the abuser.

Contact abuse

This involves physical interaction. Examples include: 

  • sexual touching, clothed or unclothed
  • penetration using a body part or object
  • forcing a child to take part in sexual activities
  • making a child undress or touch someone else

Abuse isn't always penetrative. It can include kissing, touching, or oral sex.

Non-contact abuse

This involves no physical touch and may occur in person or online. Examples include:

  • flashing or exposing genitals
  • showing pornography
  • exposing a child to sexual acts
  • making or sharing child abuse images/videos
  • sexual communication via messages, video chats, or social media

Signs of sexual abuse

Recognising the signs of sexual abuse is crucial in protecting children and young people from further harm. Abuse isn’t always easy to identify—children might be too afraid, ashamed, or confused to speak out.

In some cases, they may not even realise that what’s happening to them is wrong.

That’s why it’s important for adults to be aware of both the physical and behavioural indicators. Being alert to these warning signs can help ensure a child gets the support and protection they need as early as possible. 

Children may not speak out, but certain behaviours can be warning signs.

Emotional or behavioural clues

  • reluctance to be alone with certain individuals or showing fear around people they know
  • using language or displaying sexual behaviour that is inappropriate for their age or development
  • experiencing nightmares or beginning to wet the bed
  • using alcohol or drugs
  • engaging in self-harming behaviours
  • noticeable changes in eating patterns or the development of an eating disorder
  • shifts in mood, such as increased irritability, anger, or other uncharacteristic emotional responses
  • significant changes in usual behaviour, like suddenly avoiding school, running away, or not wanting to return home

Physical clues 

  • unexplained bruising
  • bleeding, discharge, pain, or soreness in the genital or anal areas
  • presence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including those affecting the throat
  • throat pain or soreness without a clear cause
  • signs of pregnancy
  • difficulty walking or sitting that is unusual or unexplained for the child

Online clues

  • sudden changes in online activity
  • secrecy around devices or apps
  • unexplained new contacts or messages
  • needing to be online at specific times
  • emotional distress after using devices
  • requests for or possession of money without clear reason

Effects of sexual abuse

The impact of sexual abuse can be profound and long-lasting, affecting every part of a child or young person’s life. While some effects may appear immediately, others might not surface until months or even years later. 

Each individual responds differently—some may struggle with emotional or mental health challenges, while others may experience difficulties in relationships, education, or daily life. 

Understanding these potential effects is vital in providing the right support and helping survivors begin to heal. These effects can include:

  • anxiety, depression, or PTSD
  • self-harm or suicidal thoughts
  • flashbacks or nightmares
  • eating disorders
  • drug or alcohol misuse
  • pregnancy or STIs
  • relationship difficulties
  • feelings of shame, guilt, or isolation

Online sexual extortion (sextortion) 

Online sexual extortion, often referred to as "sextortion", is a specific form of cyber-enabled crime. It involves offenders coercing victims into performing sexual acts via webcam, often under false pretences. Without the victim’s knowledge, these acts are recorded.

The offender then uses the recording to threaten and extort the victim—typically demanding money or further explicit content.

Threats often include sharing the footage with the victim’s family, friends, or posting it online. In most cases, the motivation behind sextortion is financial gain.

Children, young people and online vulnerability

Children and young people are particularly vulnerable to online sexual exploitation, especially through social media, messaging apps and video-sharing platforms. Exploitation can take various forms, including:

  • coercion into sharing sexual images or videos
  • grooming and manipulation through private messages
  • threats and extortion using recorded material

This type of abuse may involve strangers or, in some cases, peers. Offenders often exploit trust, fear, or shame to silence victims.

Support and content removal

If harmful content has been shared online, it may be possible to have it removed.

Advice on this subject are is:

  • do not panic.
  • do not pay
  • do not communicate
  • do not delete

Support services include:

 

  • Report Remove allows you to confidentially report sexual images and videos of yourself and get them removed from the internet.
  • Report Harmful Content - guidance on reporting to platforms and getting content taken down
  • Childline - help with removing sexual images of children from the internet and gives free, confidential support for young people under the age of 19.
  • Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command (CEOP) Education gives advice for parents, children, and young people on staying safe from sexual abuse and online grooming.
  • Shore Space - a safe space for teenagers worried about sexual behaviour
  • Young Minds is a mental health charity for children and young people with 24 hours a day, seven days a week text support.

Encourage any child or young person to speak to a trusted adult or contact support services like Childline (0800 1111) if they are worried or have been threatened online. 

Resources