Texas Sexual Assault & Abuse Attorneys 

Common Forms of Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse can take various forms, all of which involve unwanted or forced sexual activity. Some of the most common forms include:

• Child Sexual Abuse: This involves any sexual activity with a minor, including touching, fondling, and intercourse, as well as exposing a child to sexual content or behaviors.
• Rape: This is non-consensual sexual intercourse, which can occur through physical force, threats, or manipulation. It can happen to anyone, regardless of gender or age.
• Sexual Assault: A broad term that includes any non-consensual sexual contact or behavior. This can include groping, touching, or kissing without consent.
• Incest: Sexual abuse that occurs within a family, where one family member forces another into sexual activity. This is often underreported due to the dynamics of family relationships.
• Sexual Exploitation: This involves taking advantage of someone for sexual purposes, often for profit or gain. Examples include sex trafficking or forcing someone into pornography.
• Date Rape: A form of rape where the perpetrator is someone the victim knows socially or is dating. This often involves the use of drugs or alcohol to incapacitate the victim.
• Online Sexual Abuse: This includes grooming, exploitation, and the sharing of explicit images or videos without consent. It can occur through social media, messaging apps, or other online platforms.

Identifying sexual abuse can be challenging, as victims often hide or are unaware of the abuse. However, some common signs can include:

• Behavioral Changes: Sudden changes in behavior, such as becoming withdrawn, anxious, or overly aggressive. Victims may also show signs of depression or self-harm.
• Fear of Certain People or Places: Avoidance of specific individuals or locations, often because they are associated with the abuse.
• Physical Symptoms: Unexplained injuries, bruises, or pain, especially around the genital area. Victims may also have sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs).
• Sexualized Behavior: Inappropriate sexual knowledge or behavior, especially in children. This can include mimicking sexual acts or using explicit language beyond their age level.
• Changes in Sleep Patterns: Difficulty sleeping, nightmares, or bed-wetting, particularly in children.
• Eating Disorders: Sudden changes in eating habits, such as overeating or undereating, which can be a coping mechanism.
• Regression: Reverting to earlier developmental stages, such as thumb-sucking or bed-wetting in children who have outgrown these behaviors.
• Sudden Drop in Academic Performance: A noticeable decline in school performance, attendance, or interest in activities they once enjoyed.
• Substance Abuse: Turning to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with the trauma of the abuse.
• Isolation: Withdrawing from friends, family, or social activities, often due to shame or fear associated with the abuse.