Question 1

What is the definition of sexual abuse?

Accepted Answer

While the exact legal definition of sexual abuse may vary depending on local laws, the American Psychological Association (APA) defines sexual abuse as, "unwanted sexual activity, with perpetrators using force, making threats, or taking advantage of victims not able to give consent."

While exact laws and wording vary by state in the U.S., in general, individuals that are not able to give consent can be understood to include individuals that are under the age of consent, individuals under the effects of drugs or alcohol, and individuals that are asleep or unconscious.

Many states also have laws stating that individuals under the custody of law enforcement or the care of mental health professionals are not able to consent to sexual activities with said professionals due to the power structure inherent in these situations.

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) uses the umbrella term "sexual violence" in a similar, non-legal way, to refer to all types of sexual violence, of which it defines sexual abuse as a subset.

Some other categories of sexual violence according to RAINN include sexual assault, intimate partner sexual violence, stalking, and drug-facilitated sexual assault. According to both the APA and RAINN, most victims of sexual abuse and sexual violence know their perpetrator.

Question 2

What are the four types of abuse?

Accepted Answer

The four (4) main types of child abuse according to Medical News Today are:

Physical abuse, which includes hitting, and other physical acts of violence as well as withholding food, sleep, or medication.
Emotional abuse, which includes verbal abuse such as bullying and ridicule, shouting and threats, as well as "emotional blackmail" and the "silent treatment."
Sexual abuse, which includes all types of sexual abuse that is both physical and verbal as well as any grooming behaviors for future abuse.
Neglect, which includes not meeting a child's basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter as well as leaving a child unattended for too long, or placing the child in dangerous situations.

When discussing abuse more broadly for all ages, there are even more types of recognized abuse. In addition to physical, emotional, and sexual abuse and neglect mentioned above, the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services also lists the following types of abuse with concern to vulnerable adults:

Exploitation, defined as taking advantage of vulnerable individuals, for example, by illegally withdrawing money from their bank account.
Self-neglect, which occurs when an adult does not or is unable to properly care for themselves.
Abandonment, which similar to neglect, leaves the individual without basic care or having their basic needs met, but to a more extreme or permanent degree.

When looking specifically at abuse in domestic partnerships, domestic violence advocacy groups such as Reach, categorize the types of domestic abuse under six main types:

Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Verbal/emotional abuse
Mental/psychological abuse
Financial/economic abuse
Cultural/identity abuse

While verbal/emotional and mental/psychological abuse could all fit under the umbrella of "emotional abuse," Reach and other advocacy groups separate them into these distinct categories because it is possible to have aspects of one without the other and vice versa.

Financial abuse can include controlling a partner's finances and bank accounts, as well as taking on debt in the partner's name. Cultural abuse could include using racial slurs towards a partner, not allowing them to practice their faith or dietary restrictions, or using a partner's language barrier to further control and isolate them.

What is the definition of sexual abuse?

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