What constitutes sexual abuse in children?

Sexual abuse in children is defined by any action that exploits a child for sexual purposes, which includes the use of child pornography or engaging in sexual acts. This involves inappropriate sexual behavior towards a child, which can manifest in various forms such as grooming, sexual exploitation, or any type of sexual activity between an adult and a child or among children where there is a significant age or power difference.

Understanding sexual abuse is crucial, as it encompasses not only physical acts but also the use of materials, such as child pornography, that objectify and exploit minors. This distinction helps to identify and put an end to abusive situations, ensuring the protection of vulnerable children from harm.

The other options reflect different forms of maltreatment. Inadequate supervision, physical neglect, and educational neglect involve failures in caregiving that do not specifically relate to sexual exploitation. Each of these categories represents serious concerns for child welfare, but they do not fall under the definition of sexual abuse, which is uniquely focused on sexual exploitation and harm.