Children's Aid Society of the County of Simcoe

    October is Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month                               

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Sexual Abuse

Includes the sexual exploitation of a child by an older person where the child is being used for a sexual purpose. The Criminal Code of Canada identifies a number of types of sexual abuse, including:

• sexual interference

• invitation to sexual touching

• sexual exploitation of a young person

• parent or guardian procuring sexual activity from a child

• householder permitting sexual activity

• exposing genitals to a child

• incest

Behavioural Indicators that a child may be a victim of sexual abuse:

• age inappropriate play with toys, self or others displaying explicit sexual acts

• age inappropriate sexually explicit drawing and/or descriptions

• bizarre, sophisticated or unusual sexual knowledge

• prostitution

• seductive behaviours

Physical Indicators that a child may be a victim of sexual abuse:

• unusual or excessive itching in the genital or anal area

• torn, stained or bloody underwear (may be observed if the child needs bathroom assistance).

• pregnancy

• injuries to the genital or anal areas (eg. bruising, swelling or infection

• venereal disease

Physical Abuse               Emotional Abuse                Neglect