Non-Physical Contact Behaviors

Child sexual abuse can also include behaviors that do not involve touching or physical contact.  These behaviors can be just as upsetting and emotionally harmful to a child as some touching behaviors. Non-touching behaviors that are considered to be child sexual abuse include:

• Showing pornography to a child.
• Exposing a person's genitals to a child, or asking children to expose themselves.
• Asking a child to interact sexually with someone else.
• Online enticement of a minor for sexual purposes.
• Photographing a child in sexual poses.
• Exposing a child to sexual acts (including masturbation) either in person or through digital, computer or video images.
• Watching a child undress or use the bathroom, often without the child's knowledge (known as voyeurism or being a "Peeping Tom").

Please note that although there may not be harmful intent, even having adult pornography or sexual toys in the home where a child could come across them has been viewed by authorities as sexual abuse in some circumstances.