There has to be physical contact for an act to be reported as sexual abuse.

There has to be physical contact for an act to be reported as sexual abuse.

• A. True
• B. Sometimes
• C. Not sure
• D. False

Answer: (D)

Sexual abuse can involve both contact and non-contact acts. A reportable act isn’t limited to touching; non-contact behaviors—such as exposing a child to sexual content or nudity, sexualized conversations or grooming, sharing or creating sexual imagery of a child, or online exploitation—also constitute sexual abuse. Because these acts involve sexual activity with or exploitation of a minor, they must be reported even when there’s no physical contact. So saying there has to be physical contact is false. Choosing truth would ignore the many non-contact ways abuse can occur, and choosing uncertain would miss the clear obligation to report any sexual exploitation of a child.

Sexual abuse can involve both contact and non-contact acts. A reportable act isn’t limited to touching; non-contact behaviors—such as exposing a child to sexual content or nudity, sexualized conversations or grooming, sharing or creating sexual imagery of a child, or online exploitation—also constitute sexual abuse. Because these acts involve sexual activity with or exploitation of a minor, they must be reported even when there’s no physical contact. So saying there has to be physical contact is false. Choosing truth would ignore the many non-contact ways abuse can occur, and choosing uncertain would miss the clear obligation to report any sexual exploitation of a child.