Q | What steps should be taken when one knows that a child is a victim of sexual abuse?

A | Every Quebec adult is required by law to report this type of abuse to the Québec Government Youth Protection Agency (Direction de la protection de la jeunesse). One may also report the case to police authorities. 

Q | I’m a grandmother and I suspect my grandson is sexually abused.  What should I do?

A | Any adult who suspects that sexual abuse is being committed against a child is required by law to make a report to the Youth Protection authorities. You may also report the case to the police.

Q | Is rape the only form of sexual abuse?

A | Rape is only one form of sexual abuse.

Q | What are the short- and long-term consequences of sexual abuse?

A | Sexual abuse can undermine a person’s physical or psychological integrity.  Victims may experience a multitude of emotions, pain and illnesses: feelings of fear, betrayal, guilt, ambivalence; anxiety and depression; low self-esteem and anger; insomnia and sleep disturbances (nightmares); delayed development (physical, psychological); attention difficulties, scholastic problems, inadequate sexual behaviour,  according to age or developmental level; behavioural problems, delinquency, running away, prostitution, drug addiction, self-destructive behaviour (mutilation); eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia); somatization disorder, chronic pain, sexually transmitted diseases (STD, AIDS, etc.); removal from family environment, placement and loss of maternal support, etc.

Among male victims mainly, having been sexually abused in childhood may increase the danger of developing behaviour that may lead to committing sexual abuse as adolescents or adults. It should be recognized, however, that the large majority of sexual abuse victims do not become sexual abusers.

Q | Is sexual abuse a crime?

A| Yes, it is a serious crime which should be denounced and confided to the judiciary system. Once sexual abuse has been reported, police can conduct an investigation and procedures provided by the criminal code can be applied.

Q | Is there a law that protects children against sexual abuse or other forms of mistreatment?

A| Since 1979 in Quebec, the Youth Protection Act is designed to help children and adolescents in difficulty who are experiencing situations that endanger or may endanger their security or development.

Should you suspect that a child is victim of sexual abuse or other forms of maltreatment (physical or psychological violence, serious negligence, etc.), the law requires that you report this situation to the Youth Protection authorities of your region. You will find how to reach them in the section Resources for you - Regional agencies : Québec Health and Social Services. 

Q | Can a child claim to be a victim of sexual abuse to attract attention or seek revenge?

A | In most cases, the child does not have the necessary information to make up sexual abuse stories. The idea that a child may lie doesn’t take into consideration the shame and guilt he/she necessarily feels. Revealing sexual abuse is a heavy ordeal for a child. This is why the majority of young victims never reveal abuse committed. In short, very few children make false sexual abuse allegations.

Q | Can a child be responsible for sexual abuse he/she experiences?

A | A child is never responsible for sexual abuse. Children (14 and under) can not legally give consent or force an adult to have sexual activity with him/her. A child experiencing inadequate sexual behaviour may have been the victim of sexual abuse. 

Q | Can a victim who has provoked an abuser through flirtation be held responsible for sexual abuse experienced? 

A | The only person responsible for a sexual aggression is the abuser. A child’s actions or a way of dressing do not justify or excuse sexual abuse. 

Q | When a person says “no”, could it sometimes really means “maybe” or “yes”? 

A| In the context of sexual activity, the other person must be believed. A person’s refusal must not be interpreted as an invitation to continue the attempt. It is wrong to maintain that NO means anything other than NO. Moreover, the fact of consenting to some intimate contact, such as kissing, does not give consent to other sexual activity. A person can refuse to go further at any time.

Q | Is it true that only girls said to be “easy” get abused? 

A | In reality, no one is safe from sexual abuse. Any girl or boy, regardless of age, origin, social background, behaviour or reputation, may one day become a victim of sexual abuse, without being in any way responsible.

Q | Can sexual abuse be related to the fact that boys or men can’t manage to control their sexual impulses?

A | The abuser will sometimes use this myth to justify his/her acts and excuse behaviour. But every person must control his/her actions and maintain sexual relations without violence or constraint. Most sexual abuse is not spontaneous:  it is usually planned. The sexual abuser frequently seeks less to satisfy a sexual need that to exercise power over victims—desiring to dominate, humiliate and frighten them.

Q | Can we really speak of sexual abuse if no weapon is used, or physical violence committed?

A | Sexual abuse is defined as any unwanted act of a sexual nature imposed by one person on another. According to the criminal code, this can extend to unwanted fondling or kissing, or any form of penetration or sexual attack that injures the victim or places his/her life in danger. Furthermore, most acts of sexual abuse are committed by familiar persons who are more apt to have recourse to ruses or threats.  It should be noted that some sexual abuse, such as exhibitionism and voyeurism, is committed without physical contact.

Q | Can one say that a woman has been sexually abused by her partner or husband?

A | Sexual abuse occurs any time a person refuses to have sexual relations but is forced to, even within marriage or among lovers. The Canadian Committee on Violence Against Women estimates that 38% of sexually abused women were abused by their husbands, partners or boyfriends. In Canada, sexual abuse committed within marriage has been illegal since 1983. Few women, however, report such acts to the police. 

Q | I am an adult now, but as a child and adolescent I was sexually abused by my best friend’s father, though not raped.  Do I have any possible recourse against him? 

A | Yes, you can file a complaint with the police for such sexual abuse. 

Q | I’d like to know if there is an association or aid groups toward which I can direct persons in my family who have experienced serious cases of sexual abuse? 

A | The section “Resources for You” provides a number of useful addresses. 

Q | My daughter experienced cases of verbal violence, physical and sexual abuse at her father’s. Are there other resources than the Director of Youth Protection to come to her assistance? 

A| You can report such acts of mistreatment to police authorities, but the law requires you to report the situation to the Director of Youth Protection, which will then help you to find an adequate resource in your region. Also, the section “Resources for You” provides a number of useful addresses.