S exual abuse means using a person for sexual pleasure without their permission or consent. When a child has sexual intercourse with a parent, a brother, a sister, or even a stepparent, the abuse is called Incest .
Girls are more likely to be abused than boys, and most sexual abuse is committed by men.
One out of every four girls and one out of every seven boys may be sexually abused before they reach the age of eighteen. T he abusers may threaten to hurt the victim or someone that the victim loves. Or the parent, which is the abuser may threaten to go away and never comeback if the victim tells what has happened. He or she may say that the victim will be taken away if anyone learns about the abuse. They promise something special, like money or new clothes.