What is sexual abuse?
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Sexual abuse is when someone is pressured, forced or manipulated into any form of sexual activity with an adult or another young person.
Sexual activity includes:
- Kissing
- Sharing sexual messages and photos
- Sexual touching
- Oral sex
- Vaginal or anal sex
It can happen anywhere (online or offline) and to anyone, regardless of their age or gender.
Someone could be sexually abused by anyone.
They could be:
- Someone they know (including a friend or family member)
- Someone they met online
- Someone they are in a relationship with
- Someone of any gender
Whoever a young person is being abused by, it is always wrong and never their fault.
If you have been pressured into any sexual activity you should call 101 and report this to the police. If you are under 18 and have been sexually abused online, you can report it to CEOP.
In an emergency, call the police on 999.
Recognising sexual abuse
Sexual abuse can happen in different ways and in different situations.
Some examples of sexual abuse are:
- Be...
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