Sexual abuse is defined as which of the following?

Sexual abuse is defined as which of the following?

• A. Any sexual contact that is forced upon a person against his or her will
• B. Physical injury
• C. Verbal insult
• D. Isolation

Answer: (A)

Sexual abuse means any sexual contact that is forced on a person against their will or when there is no valid consent. The important point is coercion or exploitation of vulnerability, which makes the act abusive. This is different from physical injury, verbal insult, or social isolation, which describe harm in other areas but do not define sexual contact itself. In practice, anyone who cannot freely consent—such as a minor or someone who is coerced or incapacitated—is experiencing sexual abuse.

Sexual abuse means any sexual contact that is forced on a person against their will or when there is no valid consent. The important point is coercion or exploitation of vulnerability, which makes the act abusive. This is different from physical injury, verbal insult, or social isolation, which describe harm in other areas but do not define sexual contact itself. In practice, anyone who cannot freely consent—such as a minor or someone who is coerced or incapacitated—is experiencing sexual abuse.