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

Those convicted of murder and those serving sentences for rape, serious child sexual abuse and grooming offences are already excluded from the early release scheme.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

"People who have suffered historic child sexual abuse may not have spoken about it for years, so it's vital they know they can access specialist, trauma-informed support through the NHS," he added.

From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026

“As Ms. Griffin herself concedes, she has no proof of the sexual abuse she recalled for the first time decades later while using psychedelics,” New York Times spokeswoman Danielle Rhoades Ha said in a statement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

The deluge of claims came after the state changed the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse, giving victims a new window to sue.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026

It didn't appear that emotional trauma or abuse was bedizened as sexual abuse in a display to get others to empathize with her tattered past.

From Tokyo to Tijuana: Gabriele Departing America by Steven (Steven David Justin) Sills

Related Words

• exploitation
• impropriety
• intimidation
• victimization