sexual abuse

 

 sexual abuse on Wikipedia

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sexual abuse (usually uncountable, plural sexual abuses)

1. (crime) Any sexual activity that is undesired by one participant but forced on them nonetheless, especially when considered to be more sustained or frequent than an incident of sexual assault.

   Synonyms: sex abuse, molestation

   Hypernym: abuse

   • 1971 October 4, ‘Facing Equality for Women’, Time:

     Statutory-rape laws concerning voluntary intercourse would probably be taken off the books, though both young boys and young girls could still be protected against any sexual abuse by older persons.

   • 1987, Lou Sullivan, personal diary, quoted in 2019, Ellis Martin, Zach Ozma (editors), We Both Laughed In Pleasure

     I believe that I was the victim of sexual abuse in my relationship with T. It was always the way HE wanted it & I wasn't to do anything I wanted. So I just "submitted" to him & was glad that he would have anything to do with me.

   • 2013, The Guardian, (headline), 29 Sep 2013:

     Argentine priest Julio Grassi begins 15-year sentence over sexual abuse.

• child sexual abuse