![]() Researchers have found that victims come from all cultural, racial, and economic groups (9). ![]() However, in the past 25 years there has been increased recognition that incest and other forms of childhood sexual abuse occur with alarming frequency (8). Incest was once thought to be so rare that its occurrence was inconsequential. Because of the shame and stigma associated with abuse, many victims never disclose such experiences. Prevalence The prevalence of childhood sexual abuse in the United States is unknown. Definitions have been expanded to include noncontact events such as coercion to watch sexual acts or posing in child pornography (7). Although specific legal definitions may vary among states, there is widespread agreement that abusive sexual contact can include breast and genital fondling, oral and anal sex, and vaginal intercourse. Characteristics and motivations of perpetrators of childhood sexual abuse vary: some may act out sexually to exert dominance over another individual others may initiate the abuse for their own sexual gratification (5, 6). Authority and power enable the perpetrator to coerce the child into compliance. These acts do not always involve sexual intercourse or physical force rather, they involve manipulation and trickery. Definitions Childhood sexual abuse can be defined as any exposure to sexual acts imposed on children who inherently lack the emotional, maturational, and cognitive development to understand or to consent to such acts.
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