CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE DEFINED
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Photo of a child with Herpes Simplex Virus
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (1992) defined sexual abuse as: fondling a child’s genitals, intercourse, incest, rape, sodomy, exhibitionism, and sexual exploitation. To be considered child abuse, these have to be committed by a person responsible for the care of the child (for example a parent, baby sitter, or day care provider). If a stranger commits these acts, it would be considered sexual assault.