The sexually abused child: a critical analysis exploring sexual abuse and its effects. This essay will aim to explore and evaluate sexual abuse and its possible harmful impacts on a child. While there is no evidence from any person or data to describe what can explain abuse and what sexual abuse is, there are four main types of child abuse; emotional abuse, sexual abuse, physical abuse and abandonment. (NSPCC 2010). The type of abuse that will be analyzed closely in this essay is sexual abuse. According to the Oxford Dictionary, the term sexual abuse is defined as “continuous, unwanted sexual activity imposed on one person by another through coercion or threats.” A similar explanation is presented by Kempe. “Sexual abuse is defined as the involvement of dependent and developmentally immature children and adolescents in sexual activities that they do not truly understand, to which they are unable to give informed consent, or that violate social role taboos family members." While these explanations form the foundation of what sexual abuse is with terms such as “dependent,” “informed consent,” and “developmentally immature,” this suggests that the true nature of sexual abuse is not yet fully determined. This may be because the content of sexual abuse comes in many forms. (Kempe, 1978:90) Since abuse manifests itself in many forms, sexual abuse also has different forms as suggested by Hansel et al (1998). Child sexual abuse can range from “contact” and “non-contact” crimes. Non-contact crimes include; exhibitionism, a term used to describe genital exposure, voyeurism, this is a form of sexual satisfaction by observing victims in a sexual way, for example a child undressing, verbal sexual abuse this is where the child is spoken to…. .. medium of paper ......you will get active and better understanding. Government policies such as the 2011 Action Plan against Child Sexual Exploitation have responded to the mistreatment of children and young people who have suffered violations. In this report, prevention needs and strategies to eliminate child sexual abuse have been established. Reports have been prepared for health workers to help them deal with cases where a child has been sexually exploited. Additionally, this plan implemented a stronger law on sex offenders by claiming that “additional charges will be brought against them.” Furthermore, victims of child sexual abuse “will receive the help they need and will be supported at all times” (Department of Health 2013) stated that identifying and dealing with sexual abuse immediately is essential to maintaining safety. As argued by Talcott Parsons “society must ensure an equal balance to 'function' properly and benefit everyone.