Child sexual abuse involves a more powerful individual exploiting a less powerful child for sexual gratification, encompassing both touching and non-touching acts. In Bangladesh, a significant percentage of abuses are committed by known individuals, including relatives and caregivers, often following a grooming process that manipulates the child into silence. The psychological and physical consequences of abuse can be severe, highlighting the need for education and a supportive environment to empower children to report mistreatment.

1. CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

3.  Child sexual abuse is when a more
powerful person uses a less
powerful person for sexual
gratification.
 A sexual act between two minors,
where one exerts power over the
other, is also considered sexual
abuse.

4. 2 CATEGORIES OF SEXUAL
ABUSE
 1. NON-TOUCHINGABUSES
Exhibitionism, exposure to pornography, taking
photographs of children in a sexualized manner, such
as through telephone or the internet, and letting down
the walls of privacy so that the child watches or hears
sexual acts.
 2. TOUCHINGABUSES
Kissing, fondling, oral sex, vaginal or anal
intercourse, or attempted intercourse.

6.  Most abusers of child sexual abuse are
known to victims. They may be a male
relative or an acquaintance.
 In Bangladesh, more than 70% children
are sexually abused by their close
relatives and caregivers, 47% by
neighbors, friends, community figures
and 32% by their house tutor.
 In many cases, it is the father who
violates his own child.

8. GROOMING PROCESS
 Abusers may groom children for
weeks, months, or even years
before any sexual abuse actually
takes place.
 Befriending a child and gaining his or her
trust.
 Testing a child’s boundaries through
telling inappropriate jokes, backrubs,
tickling, or sexual games.

9.  Manipulating the child to not tell anyone
about what is happening.
 Confusing the child into feeling
responsible for the abuse.
 Moving from non-sexual touching to
“accidental” sexual touching. This
typically happens during play so the child
may not even identify it as purposeful,
inappropriate touching.

10. The prevalence of silence among
children is explained by the
following reasons:
 Children are physically less powerful than
adults;
 Children are obliged to obey adults;
 Children are provided limited information on
matters regarding sex and sexuality;
 Children’s questions pertaining to sex and
sexuality are frowned upon;
 The importance placed on keeping the family intact, or
preserving the family reputation, keeps children from
speaking about the abuse.

12.  All children are
vulnerable to sexual
abuse, especially girls.

14. PHYSICAL EFFECTS
 Sexual Transmitted Infections (STI)
 Urinary tract infections
 Pregnancy at a young age
 Unusual smells or bleeding
 Difficulty walking or sitting
 Bruises or wounds on the genitalia
and mouth.

15. BEHAVIORAL EFFECTS
 Distrust of others and themselves
 Terror and anxiety
 Shame, guilt and self-hatred
 Isolation and withdrawal from people and
activities
 Powerlessness, depression, and extreme
passivity
 Anger
 Drug and alcohol use, abuse,
and addiction
 Eating and sleeping disorders
 Mental illness and suicide

16. Children often cannot tell
about a touching problem
because of the fear of:
 REMEMBERING
 LOSS OF LOVE
 SHAME and GUILT
 BLAME
 HARM

18.  The best way to protect children and
youth against sexual abuse is to give
them the knowledge and skills necessary
for their safety and well being, and by
creating in our families and communities
an atmosphere where they feel safe
enough to come forward if they are being
mistreated or abused.