Child Sexual Abuse Law & Legal Definition

Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation.

The following is an example of a state law that provides a statutory framework regarding child sexual abuse.

Child sexual abuse means the commission of any act involving the unlawful sexual abuse, molestation, fondling, or carnal knowledge of a child under the age of 13 that would constitute a criminal offense. [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-602].

Child sexual abuse can include:

a. engaging a child or soliciting a child for the purposes of prostitution; and

b. using a child to film, photograph, or model pornography.