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Sexual abuse is defined by the forcing of undesired sexual acts by one person to another.
Different types of sexual abuse involve:
- Non-consensual, forced physical sexual behavior such as rape, incest or sexual assault
- Psychological forms of abuse, such as verbal sexual behavior or stalking.
The issue of consent
In the majority of cultures and countries, sex is legal and acceptable only if both parties give consent.
The age and concept of consent is often defined by laws, and may differ from country to country, and state to state. In most cases, the age of consent and statutory rape laws aim at protecting children and teenagers from exploitation, particularly physical or psychological exploitation involving sexual behavior.
Spousal sexual abuse
- Main article: spousal abuse
Students and sexual harassment
Students may be the victims of unwanted sexual attention by teachers and professors, see Academic abuse.
Because students and faculty members have unequal power and authority, flirtatious and sexual behavior by a faculty member toward a student is often classified as a misuse of power, and may carry serious consequences such as the filing of charges of sexual harassment and/or termination of employment.
For a famous example of a teacher-student statutory rape, see Mary Kay Letourneau.
Minor sexual abuse
- ''Main article: Child sexual abuse
Child Sexual Abuse: Legal definition (U.S.)
In every state and federal jurisdiction of the United States, the law states that a minor below the age of consent in that state or jurisdiction cannot consent to sexual activity of any sort involving a partner (with certian exceptions). Such sexual activity is legally considered child abuse. However, state laws treat an adult who performs sexual activity with a minor under the age of consent differently from two minors under the age of consent who perform sexual activity with each other. Also, if the minor in question is a preadolescent child then it is generally treated differently then sexual activities with an adolescent under the age of consent. Sexual activities between an adult and a adolescent minor under the age of consent are generally covered under statutory rape laws. Illegal sexual activities involving an adult and a minor are generally categorized as a sex offense. Depending on the penal code of the jurisdiction in which the crime occurs, the specific charges against the adult may include, for example, rape/sexual assault, sexual abuse of a child, or lewd acts.
Situations in which both participants are under the age of consent are generally not prosecuted, if neither, minor used force or coercion on the other minor. In addition, many states include in their penal code a so-called "Romeo exception". This exception deals with situations in which a young adult above the age of consent performs a sexual activity with a someone under the age of consent; it exempts the young adult from being charged with a sex offense if the adult's age is within three years of the minor's age, and the adult did not use force or coercion on the minor. Another exemption under states sexual abuse laws that exists in some states applies to adults legally married to minors. Thus, said adults can legally have sexual relations with their spouses without violating the law.
Further reading
reference books
- Doris Van Stone,(1990). No Place to Cry: The Hurt and Healing of Sexual Abuse. Moody Publishers.
- Billie Wright Dzeich and Linda Weiner, 1984 (2nd ed. 1990). The Lecherous Professor: Sexual Harassment on Campus. Boston: Beacon Press.
- Aba , C. (1992). Sexual Assaults on Students. London , Harper and Row.
External links
- RAINN - The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
- Jim Hopper, Ph.D. - Sexual Abuse of Males
- - Avert.org Age of consent
Abuse | Child sexual abuse | Incest | Criminology topics
Pohlavní zneužívání | Sexueller Missbrauch | Abuso sexual | 性的虐待 | Seksuelt overgrep | Abuso sexual
"Sexual abuse"