Child Sexual Abuse is an act against a child for sexual pleasure.
It includes:
- rape and group rape
- forced or coerced abuse of others
- masturbation, including forced ‘mutual’ masturbation
- viewing pornography with a child or forcing a child to make indecent images
- voyeurism.
Most survivors of childhood sexual abuse do not tell anyone at the time and the effects can be long lasting.
Children cannot consent to sexual acts. It's never a child's fault that they were sexually abused.
For more information, visit NSPCC’s information on child sexual abuse.
Services for Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
There are specialist agencies who can help:
Kingdom Abuse Survivors Project can be contacted on 01592 644217 or via email at info@kasp.org.uk
Safe Space can be contacted on 01383 739084 or via email at contact@safe-space.co.uk.
Child Protection information on Fife.gov.uk.
Police Scotland have information about child sexual abuse, including how to report it, advice for perpetrators, identifying the signs and real life examples.
The information for adult survivors, reporting to the police, and the court process can be accessed on the Police Scotland website.
If you think you or your child(ren) are in immediate danger of being hurt, phone the police on 999.
Related Publications and Links
To report any concerns to the police, call the non-emergency number 101. In an emergency, always dial 999.