31 www.rnca.ca Sexual Abuse continued What does it look like? All sexual contact with anyone without consent is a crime called sexual assault. This includes sexual touching. The Criminal Code contains many offences that protect children from sexual abuse, which happens when a person takes advantage of a child for sexual purposes. It does not always involve physical contact with a child. For example, it could happen when an adult invites a child to touch herself or himself sexually or attempts to lure a child over the Internet for sexual purposes. Sexual contact between an adult and a child under 16 is a crime. In Canada, the general age of consent to sexual activity is 16 years, but there are some exceptions if the other person is close in age to the child. For more information on the age of consent and teenage relationships, visit the Department of Justice links found in "Who Can Help?" at the back of this booklet. The age of consent is 18 years in some circumstances, for example, where the sexual activity takes place in a relationship of trust, dependency or authority or where the relationship is exploitative of the child. A person of authority or trust could be a parent, step-parent, grandparent, older sibling, teacher or coach. What can I do? If you know a child who is being sexually abused, report it to the police immediately. In an emergency, call 9-1-1. Teach your children about personal safety and how they can stay safe. Every province and territory has a law that says that any person who believes a child is being abused must report it. You will not get in trouble for making the report if you have reason to believe a child is being abused, even if it turns out you were wrong. If you have questions about how to recognize child sexual abuse, here are some things you can do: • Call your local child protection services. • Talk to a nurse, social worker, doctor or teacher. It’s your duty to report child abuse and neglect. 1-833-552-2368 www.justice.gc.ca Reproduced from the Department of Justice publication Child Abuse is Wrong: What Can I Do? without affiliation or endorsement of the Government of Canada.
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