Sexual abuse has to do with the mistreatment of people in a sexual way. Child molestation is an example. All states have laws in place that recognize that children lack the capacity to give informed consent to a sex act.
Sexual abuse includes both physical contact and non-touching behaviors. Non-touching behaviors include exposing a child to pornography or trying to look at a naked child. Sexual abuse affects girls and boys in all communities. The age that consent can be given ranges from 16 to 18 years old. Sexual abuse of children is a criminal act.
Sexual abuse cases are controlled by a wide range of laws and regulations because sexual abuse happens in many different settings: at a doctor’s office, at school, in church, in a parent’s house, with organization leaders like Boy Scouts, and in the workplace. While experienced sexual abuse attorneys know that sometimes the abuse is done by a stranger, more often than not it is done by someone the victim knows. And beyond that, someone they trust, look up to or even admire.