Sexual Abuse

Sexual Abuse is any contact or non-contact sexual activity that happens without consent or understanding, or with forced consent.

If you have been sexually abused or if you are supporting a child, young person or adult who has experienced sexual abuse, you can find information here about Sexual Abuse Referral Centre (SARC) services in Gwent and other parts of Wales: Sexual Violence - Gwent Safeguarding

SARC services are confidential, however staff have a legal duty to share information with Police or Social Services if a child, young person or adult is considered to be at risk of significant harm.

Any sexual behaviour that makes an individual feel uncomfortable, afraid or intimidated could fall into the category of sexual abuse. If sexual abuse is happening in exchange for something – affection, food, drugs, shelter, protection or money it is considered sexual exploitation.

Sexual abuse and sexual violence (Violence against Women, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) ACT 2015 (legislation.gov.uk) involves both contact and non-contact forms of abuse and harm including:

Rape, attempted rape, groping or forced kissing
Sexual harassment
Indecent exposure
Voyeurism
Stalking
Grooming
Involvement in pornography without consent
Image based sexual abuse
Sexual Assault
Abuse of power to gain sexual satisfaction
Non-contact abuse (looking, photography, indecent exposure and harassment)

Possible indicators of sexual abuse

Emotional distress
Difficulty in walking or sitting
Torn, stained or bloody underclothing
Pain or itching in genital area
Bruises or bleeding in external genitalia, vagina or anal area
Recurring urinary tract infections
Semen staining on clothing
Torn penile frenulum
Tissue tearing
Mood changes
Over-affectionate displays
Incestuous relationships
Inappropriate physical contact in terms of amount of contact or lack of contact
Change in usual behaviour
Feeling of guilt or shame
Withdrawal
Untypical changes, ie, bedwetting, aggressiveness, self injury
Overt sexual behaviour/language by the person
Love bites
Disturbed sleep pattern
Bruising on the inner thighs
Pregnancy