Childhood sexual abuse is an umbrella term that covers a variety of direct and indirect sexually inappropriate actions with children for the sexual gratification of an older child or adult. Such exploitation is like a violent storm that leaves a chilling aftermath of fear and devastation.
Indirect Sexual Abuse: As a child, were you …
- Stared at while undressing, bathing or urinating? (voyeurism)
- Intentionally exposed to the nudity of or made to bathe with someone much older than you? (exhibitionism)
- Made to listen to sexual talk? (lewdness)
- Shown sexual pictures, magazines, videos or movies? (pornography)
- Made to pose for sexual photographs, videos or movies? (child pornography)
- Made to sexually stimulate yourself with another person observing you? (masturbation)
- Teased or ridiculed about your body or made to feel you were a sex object? (psychological sexual abuse)
Direct Sexual Abuse: As a child, were you …
- Touched or caressed in sexually sensitive areas or bathed in a way that felt sexually intrusive? (fondling)
- Kissed in a sexual way? (intimate kissing)
- Made to touch the sexual parts of another person? (fondling)
- Made to perform oral sex? (oral genital contact)
- Manipulated or forced into unwanted sexual intercourse or anal sex? (penetration/rape)
- Made to engage in satanic ritualistic abuse and sexual torture? (SRA)
- Subjected to the painful use of objects on your sexual parts? (sadism)
The Bible promises justice and hope: “What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted. When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever.” (Proverbs 10:24–25)
Hunt, J. (2008). Biblical Counseling Keys on Childhood Sexual Abuse: The Secret Storm. Dallas, TX: Hope For The Heart.