Safeguarding Adults Services

Sexual abuse is the involvement of people in sexual activities which they do not understand, have not given consent to or which violate the sexual taboos of the individual, family customs or usual practices.

It can include the involvement of people in sexual activities where one party is in a position of trust, power or authority.

Sexual abuse can include:

• Vaginal or anal rape
• Touching or being forced to touch another person in a sexual manner
• Being forced to watch pornography
• Being taken to adult entertainment without the full understanding of what this may involve and not being allowed to leave on request
• Being subject to sexual innuendoes and harassment
• Not having a choice about a care worker of the same sex to undertake intimate personal care

Indicators of sexual abuse can include:

• over sexualised behaviour or language or the use of sexualised behaviour or language where not previously used
• pain, itching or injury in the anal, genital or abdominal area
• difficulty in walking or sitting due to discomfort in genital area
• bruises or bleeding in external genitalia
• torn, stained or bloody underclothing
• venereal disease or recurrent bouts of cystitis
• love bites
• withdrawal
• self-inflicted injury
• disturbed sleep patterns
• changes in usual behaviours, routines, appearance or dress