What Is Sexual Abuse?
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Explore the Forms of Sexual Abuse
What Is Sexual Abuse?
Sexual abuse takes many different forms, but every form leaves lasting wounds of shame, broken trust, and trauma. At Gentle Ministries International, we believe awareness is the first step to healing. Below are some of the most common forms of abuse that victims and survivors experience.
Legal & Emotional
Incest
Sexual acts between family members or authority figures. It destroys trust, leaving survivors with deep betrayal and pain.
Violence
Rape
Any sexual activity involving force or coercion. Victims of all ages can be impacted by its devastating effects.
Exploitation
Non-Contact Abuse
Voyeurism, exhibitionism, or exposure to sexual activity. Abuse is not always physical — privacy violations are also abuse.
Child Abuse
Molestation
When a child is exploited by a relative or non-relative. Even hidden acts leave lasting wounds of shame.
Contact Abuse
Physical Acts
Includes touching, fondling, penetration, or inappropriate sexual contact. Boundaries are crossed and innocence stolen.
Emotional Harm
Verbal Sexual Abuse
Obscene jokes, threats, or sexual talk that shames children. Words can wound as deeply as physical actions.
Find Support
You Don’t Have to Carry This Alone
Sexual abuse takes many forms — physical, emotional, verbal, and non-contact — but its wounds run deep no matter how it happens. Survivors often carry shame, fear, and silence for years, believing they are alone. At Gentle Ministries International, we are here to listen, to walk with you, and to remind you: It was never your fault, and healing is possible. If you or someone you love has been affected by abuse, reach out today in confidence. Every message is kept private, and every person is treated with dignity and care.
Sexual Abuse
How Abuse Affects Survivors
Abuse doesn’t happen in a moment only—it leaves a cycle of wounds that survivors often carry for years. Here are four common stages of impact:
01
01 – The Violation
Boundaries are crossed through force, coercion, or manipulation. This leaves victims feeling powerless and confused about trust and safety.
02
02 – The Silence
Fear, threats, or shame often keep victims quiet. Many never speak out, believing they won’t be believed or that it was somehow their fault.
03
03 - The Hidden Wounds
Survivors carry emotional pain—low self-esteem, anxiety, fear of relationships, or flashbacks. These wounds are often invisible but deeply real.
04
04 – The Long-Term Impact
Without healing, abuse can affect relationships, faith, and even physical health. But with support, recovery is possible and freedom can be restored.
About Gentleministries
Together, We’ve Already Made a Difference
Gentle Ministries International has been faithfully serving survivors of childhood sexual abuse and their families for over a decade. Here’s what your support has helped us accomplish:
