The term “sexual abuse” covers more than nonconsensual sex. Coercion, nonconsensual intimacy, and the attempted control of another person’s sex life can also constitute sexual abuse. Sexual assault and abuse tend to go hand-in-hand, as well, making it particularly important to assess your awareness/consent in uncomfortable circumstances.
Note that anyone who refuses to acknowledge a change in your willingness to engage in a sexual situation can be accused of sexual assault and/or abuse. You have the right to revoke consent at any time during an encounter, and that right needs to be respected.
Unfortunately, the signs of sexual abuse aren’t always obvious, either to others or even to yourself. It can sometimes take years to process the sexual abuse you’ve endured–thus the reason for the New York Sexual Abuse Adult Survivor Act’s extension of case statute of limitations. Some of the most common signs of abuse that a survivor may exhibit include:
Nightmares
Social withdrawal
Change in personality or interests
Increased anxiety and/or depression
Unexplained pain or bruising
Abrupt pregnancy, if applicable