Understanding childhood sexual abuse and how it can be prevented

What is it about?

This encyclopedia chapter provides a comprehensive overview of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), a serious and widespread public health problem affecting children and adolescents around the world. Childhood sexual abuse involves the exploitation of children for sexual purposes, often by someone they know and trust, and includes both contact and non‑contact forms of abuse. The chapter explains how childhood sexual abuse is defined, how common it is, and which children are at greatest risk. It reviews individual, family, and environmental risk factors, describes typical pathways through which abuse occurs (including grooming), and outlines the short‑ and long‑term emotional, behavioral, and relational consequences for survivors. The chapter also summarizes evidence‑based treatments and emphasizes the importance of family support in children’s recovery.

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Photo by M. on Unsplash

Photo by M. on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Childhood sexual abuse has far‑reaching consequences for mental health, physical health, and social development, yet it often remains hidden and underreported. This chapter is important because it brings together research across disciplines to clearly explain who is at risk, how abuse happens, and what helps children heal. Importantly, the chapter moves beyond treatment to highlight prevention as a shared societal responsibility. It describes effective prevention strategies that involve children, parents, schools, youth‑serving organizations, policy makers, and communities. By emphasizing ecological and systems‑level approaches, the chapter provides guidance for reducing risk, strengthening protective environments, and promoting a culture of prevention rather than response alone.