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What is sexual abuse?

Sexual abuse, also called sexual assault, is when a someone commits or attempts to commit a sex act on you or the person you’re trying to protect (your minor child or a minor child legally in your care) and:

  • The sex act is done by force or against your will;
  • You consented because of the threat of violence, the influence of drugs, or you were unconscious;
  • You or the person you are trying to protect lacks the mental capacity to give consent; or
  • You or the person you are trying to protect is a child.

Sexual abuse may include any form of sexual intercourse, touching or fondling of inner thigh, groin, genitals, anus or breast, or indecent exposure, or invasion of privacy.

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