Sexual abuse involves which of the following?

• A. Forcing a child to engage in sexual conduct
• B. Neglecting basic needs
• C. Caregiver or other person forces, coerces, or threatens a child to have any form of sexual conduct
• D. Providing a safe home environment

Answer: (C)

Sexual abuse is when a caregiver or other person in a position of trust uses power to pressure a child into sexual activity. The key elements are the use of force, coercion, or threats, and the involvement of any form of sexual conduct with a minor. This framing makes clear that the harm comes from exploiting the child’s vulnerability and the adult’s authority, not from neglect or a lack of safety in general. A child cannot consent to sexual activity, so any act driven by an adult’s pressure is abusive. The other options point to neglect or a safe home environment, which are not about the sexual exploitation at the heart of abuse.