Sexual abuse
Sexual abuse of children or young people is any act that involves the child or young person in any activity for the sexual gratification of another person, whether or not it is claimed that the child or young person either consented or assented.
Sexual abuse involves forcing, enticing or coercing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, whether or not the child or young person is aware of what is happening.
The activities may involve physical contact, including penetrative or non-penetrative acts.
This abuse may include non-contact activities, such as involving children and young people in looking at, or in the production of indecent images or in watching sexual activities; using sexual language towards a child or young person; or encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways.
Stop It Now! Scotland
Stop It Now! Scotland is part of a child protection charity that believes that the key to preventing sexual abuse is awareness among parents and community members.
The Stop It Now! website provides information on support services for survivors of online child sexual abuse or grooming.
Stop It Now! also provides support services to individuals and their families with problematic sexual thoughts and those who may be at risk of sexual offending, including those who are under investigation for internet offences.
The Upstream Project
Upstream is an online resource that enables adults in Scotland to prevent child sexual abuse. It provides tools and support for anyone who is looking for advice on protecting children from child sexual abuse.
Key resources
Sibling sexual abuse: A knowledge and practice overview
Protecting children from harm
The Traumatic Impact of Child Sexual Abuse: A Conceptualization - published 1985