1) Sexual abuse occurs when an adult or person in a position of power takes advantage of a child's trust to involve them in sexual acts. It can involve non-contact behaviors like exposure to pornography or contact behaviors like touching or penetration. 2) Sexual abuse can be inflicted through insidious means like grooming to gain trust or forced acts like restraining a child. It can occur intermittently or recurrently. 3) Victims of sexual abuse experience a range of physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual impacts. They may exhibit behavioral warning signs but none are definitive proof of abuse on their own.

1. Living Life Changing Lives Sexual Abuse Behind Closed Doors Ministries Deborah Marriott © 2011 Sexual Abuse

14. My story Feel free to interrupt and ask me any questions