What is Child Sexual Abuse

According to the 2023 Australian Child Maltreatment Study, Child sexual abuse includes any sexual act inflicted on a child by an adult or other adolescent, including contact and non-contact acts, for the purpose of sexual gratification, where true consent by the child is not present.

Prevalence

1 of 4 people experienced sexual abuse before the age of 18.

• 28.5% of the national population has experienced sexual abuse before age 18 by any person (adult or adolescent).
• Girls are almost twice as likely to experience child sexual abuse with 1 in 3 girls (37.3%) having experienced child sexual abuse compared to 1 in 5 boys (18.8%)
• 1 in 12 participants (8.7%) reported experiencing forced sex (rape) in childhood.
• 78% of those who experienced childhood sexual abuse reported it happening more than once.

Number of Abuse Incidents Reported by Child Sexual Abuse Victims

Perpetrators

• 18.5% of all Australians aged 16 and over had experienced child sexual abuse by an adult.
• 18.2% of Australians aged 16-24 (nearly 1 in 5) experienced sexual abuse by an adolescent before age 18.
• The majority of child sexual abuse is inflicted against girls by male adolescents the victim knew, and who were not their current or former romantic partner.

Trends

• Child sexual abuse by adults has declined. This is likely the result of increased awareness and parental supervision, school-based prevention programs, and laws and policies regulating institutions.
• Child sexual abuse by adolescents aged under 18 has increased in recent years.

Insights

• Much child sexual abuse by teens is influenced by lack of empathy, a desire for immediate sexual gratification, and male sexual entitlement. It is important to recognise that the data indicates most adolescent males do not inflict sexual violence.
• Parents are integral in reducing child sexual abuse. Educating children about their bodies, healthy relationships, consent, sex, empathy and gender equality instils key prosocial attributes required to reduce sexual violence.
• Emerging scientific consensus indicates age-appropriate sexuality education from early childhood through secondary school builds social and emotional skills that minimise the likelihood of perpetration.

For a more in-depth look at the statistics presented here visit the Australian Child Maltreatment Study website.