Children are sexually abused when they are forced or persuaded to take part in sexual activities. This doesn't have to be physical contact, and it can happen online. Sometimes the child won't understad that what's happening to them is abuse, they may not even understand that what is happening is wrong. If a child does not protest, it does not mean they are consenting - sexual acts with children are never consensual.

Child sexual abuse includes but is not limited to:

- Touching a child's genitals or private parts for sexual pleasure

- Making a child touch someone else's genitals, play sexual games or have sex putting objects or body parts

- Showing pornography to a child

- Deliberately exposing an adult's genitals to a child

- Photographing a child in sexual poses

- Encouraging a child to watch or hear sexual acts

- Inappropriately watching a child undress or use the bathroom