Child Sexual Abuse

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/sexual-violence/index.html

When Sexual Violence involves a victim less than 18 years old, it is child sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse (CSA) refers to the involvement of child in sexual activity that he/she:

• does not fully comprehend

• does not consent to or is unable to give informed consent to, or

• is not developmentally prepared for and cannot give consent to

Experiencing child sexual abuse is an adverse childhood experience (ACE) that can affect how a person thinks, acts, and feels over a lifetime, resulting in short- and long-term physical and mental/emotional health consequences.