ABSTRACT
This chapter covers the topic of child sexual abuse. Definitions of sexual abuse from the psychological literature and from state laws are presented. Next, statistics about the incidence and prevalence of child sexual abuse in the United States are addressed along with coverage of changing rates over time. The chapter then describes perpetrator characteristics and behaviors related to victim grooming before moving on to victim characteristics. The next section of the chapter explores sexual abuse outside of the family setting including abuse in religious institutions, daycare centers, schools, athletic organizations, and social clubs. The sexual exploitation of children via pornography, prostitution, and sex trafficking is addressed next. The chapter concludes with a detailed section on the consequences of child sexual abuse.
