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What is Child on Child Sexual Assault?
Nicole Madison
Nicole Madison
Child on child sexual assault is a situation in which one child sexually abuses another. Usually, this involves the sexual abuse of a younger child by an older child. For example, this term may be applied to a case in which an adolescent commits abuse against a child who has not yet reached puberty. This sort of abuse can happen among children of various ages, and the important distinction between this and other types of sexual assault is that there are no adults involved.
Most mental health and child development experts agree that some amount of sexual play among children is normal and does not indicate any sexual abuse tendencies. Child on child sexual abuse is different, however, because one of the involved parties is not a willing participant in the sexual touching, the focus is on orgasm, or there are significant age discrepancies among the people involved. For example, when an older child engages in sexual touching of a younger child, threats, coercion, secrecy, and sometimes even force are involved. The older child usually has a sense of control, authority, or dominance over the younger one and asserts it as part of the sexual assault. The acts often include penetration and violent or even torturous behavior.
Many experts who study child on child sexual assault state that it typically occurs when the perpetrator has been victimized. For example, a child who has been sexually abused himself, often by an adult, may become a perpetrator of child on child sexual assault. Some experts even state that these children mimic the behaviors they have learned from adult abusers. In some cases, however, a minor who commits this type of abuse hasn’t been sexually abused but has suffered another type of physical abuse or neglect.
Some experts assert that many of the children who commit child on child sexual assault cannot form healthy relationships because of the situations they have endured. For example, a child who has been routinely neglected and abused may have attachment and anger issues as well as problems with understanding and respecting boundaries. Often, they exhibit signs of disoriented thinking as well.
Studies of child on child sexual assault also reveal that children often exhibit warning signs before they become sexual abusers. These signs may include using explicit sexual language or flashing other children to expose their genitals. Preoccupation with sexual matters that seems odd for the child's age may be a sign as well.
Nicole Madison
Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.
Learn more...
Nicole Madison
Nicole’s thirst for knowledge inspired her to become a WiseGEEK writer, and she focuses primarily on topics such as homeschooling, parenting, health, science, and business. When not writing or spending time with her four children, Nicole enjoys reading, camping, and going to the beach.
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![A victim of child on child sexual assault may become depressed.]()
By: fasphotographicA victim of child on child sexual assault may become depressed. -
![Child-on-child sexual assault typically involves older children who abuse younger ones.]()
By: Pix by MartiChild-on-child sexual assault typically involves older children who abuse younger ones. -
![Children who receive an appropriate amount of love and attention from their guardians are more likely to understand and respect the boundaries of others.]()
By: Gabriel BlajChildren who receive an appropriate amount of love and attention from their guardians are more likely to understand and respect the boundaries of others.
Discussion Comments
@Reminiscence, even if there were laws on the books concerning child-on-child sexual assault, I'm not sure if incarcerating a minor in a juvenile detention facility would be the best way to go. A family court judge might decide to order intensive psychological therapy instead. It would be difficult to say if a minor could legally form "intent" to commit a sexual crime. You mentioned "playing doctor", which many people view as an innocent exploration of childhood sexuality. Child-on-child sexual assault would most likely require more proof of trauma in order to become a legal matter.
I didn't read anything about legal ramifications in the article, so I have to wonder if there are actual laws against child-on-child sexual assault. It seems that the situation has to go beyond "playing doctor" with an equally curious partner. I'm not suggesting sexual assault in terms of forced penetration or sodomy, but more of a coercion between an older child and a younger, more vulnerable, one.
I suspect if there is no statute on the books that would make child-on-child sexual assault an actual crime, then the parents of the offender and the victim would need to seriously consider professional counseling. These behaviors and impulses need to be unlearned before the offender escalates to adult-level sexual abuse and the victim suffers even more trauma as a result of the psychological abuse.
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