Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse is unwanted, unlawful, exploitative, or nonconsensual sexual conduct. It can involve physical contact, exposure, images, coercion, grooming, trafficking, or abuse of authority. Legal definitions vary by jurisdiction, age, relationship, and claim. In civil litigation, the term can address the perpetrator’s conduct and the responsibility of institutions or other parties that enabled the abuse, ignored warning signs, or failed to protect the survivor.