About CSA

What is Child Sexual Abuse (CSA)

What is Grooming

What is Consent

Concerning Behavior in Children

As a parent or caregiver, it can be hard to determine which behaviors are concerning. Here is a list of behaviors adapted and selected from the Child Sexual Behavior Inventory (CSBI). The CSBI was specifically developed as an assessment tool for children 12 years and younger referred for sexual behavior problems.

If you notice any of these repeated behaviors in your child, they should be addressed immediately with intervention or treatment before they escalate:

1. Wants parents or adults to show sexual behaviors	18. Masturbates with others around
2. Sneaks to watch adults engage in sexual activity	19. Puts or tries to put objects in vagina or anus
3. Sneaks to watch pornography	20. Uses sexual words in an angry way around children or adults
4. Seems to go to unfamiliar adults too easily	21. Makes sexual sounds (sighing, moaning, and heavy breathing)
5. Rubs body against people or object while others are around	22. Shows sexual behaviors using toys and other objects
6. Scratches private parts when others are around	23. Imitates sexual intercourse with other children
7. Goes or tries to go into toilet stalls with other children	24. Takes off most or all clothes to go to the bathroom (even in a public restroom)
8. Shows “private parts” to adults	25. Drop pants; shows bottom, penis, or vagina; then runs away
9. Tries to undress other children or adults	26. Tries to peek at children when they are in the bathroom or bedroom
10. Asks children to touch their “private parts”	27. Asks adults to touch their “private parts”
11. Asks adults to take inappropriate pictures	28. Kisses or tries to kiss adults not in the family
12. Strokes or rubs the clothes or hair of adults	29. Rubs or tries to rub the leg or thigh of adults
13. Rubs or tries to rub the chest or breast of adults	30. Tries to film children and adults in a compromising position related to the above
14. Coerces, forces, bribes, manipulates, or threatens others	31. Has knowledge of sex beyond their developmental level
15. Behaves in a manner that is more sexually advanced than children their age	32. Will not stop actions at another child’s or adult’s request to stop
16. Receive complaints from other children about behaviors	33. Does not respect the boundaries of others: may touch, hit, step over, or take other people’s things
17. Causes pain or discomfort to self or others	34. Engages younger children in non-consensual sexual play or engages children their age who are developmentally delayed

If your child displays any of these behaviors, please do not ignore them or assume they will go away with time. Do not be ashamed or afraid. Please get your child help. If you see these types of behaviors in other children you know, please do not ignore it, alert someone.

Contacting a children’s advocacy center is a great place to start to seek additional help and guidance. If you are seen by a children’s advocacy center, they will be able to provide the most appropriate referrals for treatment; see the "Resources" page

Remember, it is not uncommon for a child to be displaying these behaviors to communicate that something has happened and that they need help.

Facts about CSA

What Every Parent and Caregiver Should Know

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is more common than many people realize. Understanding the facts is one of the most powerful tools parents and caregivers have to keep children safe.

Child sexual abuse is widespread.

An estimated 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 20 boys experience sexual abuse before age 18.

Abuse occurs across all communities, cultures, socioeconomic groups, and family structures.

Most children are abused by someone they know.

Over 90% of children who are sexually abused know the person who harmed them

Abusers are often family members, relatives, family friends, caregivers, coaches, faith leaders, or older youth, not strangers.

Children often do not disclose right away.

Many children delay telling, or never tell, because of fear, confusion, shame, loyalty to the abuser, or concern about upsetting adults.

Delayed disclosure does not mean the abuse did not happen.

Child sexual abuse does not look one way.

There is no single “type” of child who is abused, and no single way abuse affects children.

Signs may be emotional, behavioral, physical, or subtle, and sometimes there are no obvious signs at all.

Children are safest when adults take responsibility for prevention, rather than placing the burden on children to protect themselves.

Talking about sexual abuse does not harm children.

Age-appropriate, honest conversations about bodies, boundaries, and safety do not increase risk.

In fact, children who have these conversations are more likely to seek help if something feels wrong.

Prevention starts with informed, engaged adults.

By learning the facts, challenging myths, and taking proactive steps, parents and caregivers can play a powerful role in preventing child sexual abuse and supporting children’s safety and well-being.

Common myths about child sexual abuse

Myths about child sexual abuse can make it harder to recognize risk, respond effectively, and prevent harm. Understanding the realities helps adults take meaningful action to protect children.

Myth: Child sexual abuse is rare

Fact: Child sexual abuse is far more common than many people believe. It affects children across all communities, cultures, and income levels. Thinking “it doesn’t happen here” can leave children unprotected.

Myth: Most abuse is committed by strangers

Fact: The vast majority of children who are sexually abused are harmed by someone they know and trust, such as a family member, family friend, caregiver, coach, or older youth. Stranger danger messaging alone does not prevent abuse.

Myth: Children make up stories about sexual abuse

Fact: False disclosures are rare. Children are much more likely to delay telling or not tell at all than to invent abuse. When a child shares a concern, it is critical to listen, stay calm, and take them seriously.

Myth: Sexual abuse only happens to certain “at-risk” children

Fact: There is no single profile of a child who is abused. Children of all ages, abilities, family structures, and backgrounds can be targeted. Risk is more closely tied to environments and adult behaviors than to children themselves.

Myth: Teaching children to say “no” is enough to prevent abuse.

Fact: While body safety education is important, children cannot be expected to stop abuse on their own. Prevention works best when adults take responsibility by supervising, setting boundaries, addressing grooming behaviors, and creating safe environments.

Myth: Talking about sexual abuse will scare children

Fact: Age-appropriate conversations about bodies, boundaries, and safety help children feel informed and supported. These conversations do not cause harm; they increase the likelihood that a child will speak up if something feels wrong.

Myth: Good people don’t sexually abuse children

Fact: People who sexually abuse children often appear caring, helpful, and trustworthy. Focusing only on “bad people” can make it harder to recognize concerning behaviors and protect children effectively.

Challenging myths is a critical step in prevention. When adults understand the realities of child sexual abuse, they are better equipped to recognize risk, respond appropriately, and create safer spaces for children.

Age Appropriate Behavior:

Below you will find behaviors depicting healthy sexual development along with what you can do during these stages to reinforce healthy, age appropriate behaviors.

Important Note:

This chart is intended to be flexible and responsive to individual development. Age ranges can be interpreted according to a child’s developmental stage as well as their stated age, recognizing that factors such as environment, stress, disability, and lived experiences can influence development.

Birth to 18 months

18 months to 3 years

3 to 6 years old

7 to 12 years old

13 to 17 years old