sexual abuse

American  

[sek-shoo-uhl uh-byoos] / ˈsɛk ʃu əl əˈbjus /

noun

1. nonconsensual touching of a person for one’s own sexual gratification or for the sexual gratification of someone else, especially when the nonconsenting party is a child.

   When children experience sexual abuse, it is rarely a stranger perpetrating the crime, but more commonly an authority figure or other adult they know.

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sexual abuse Cultural  

1. Unwanted sexual activity forced on a person by another through coercion or threats.

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Etymology

Origin of sexual abuse

First recorded in 1875–80 in the sense “masturbation”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sexual abuse

Child sexual abuse campaigners have criticised disgraced ex-BBC News presenter Huw Edwards for his "inappropriate and disrespectful" choice to launch a blog, with one calling it a "staggering lack of awareness".

From BBC ● Jun. 26, 2026

Trump has asked the Supreme Court to hear the sexual abuse case and has said he would do the same with the defamation matter.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026

A serving officer with London's Metropolitan Police and four ex-officers are being investigated for their handling of sexual abuse allegations against former Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed, a watchdog said Thursday.

From Barron's ● May 7, 2026

It was a post-#MeToo law, the Adult Survivors Act, that allowed the journalist and advice columnist E. Jean Carroll to bring her civil sexual abuse case against Trump.

From Salon ● Apr. 19, 2026

Minors should be protected against all sexual abuse.

From The Sexual Question A Scientific, psychological, hygienic and sociological study by Forel, Auguste

Related Words

• exploitation
• impropriety
• intimidation
• victimization