Sexual abuse of a child is generally defined as physical contact or other interaction between a child (under age 17, for example) and an adult when the child is being used for the sexual stimulation or pleasure of the perpetrator or another person. In addition to physical contact, sexual abuse of a child may include (1) the exposure of the genitals of an adult in the presence of a child, (2) the exposure of the genitals of a child, (3) using a child in making pornography, or (4) making a child view sexual acts or pornography.

And in some states multiple instances of sexual contact between an adult and a child may constitute the enhanced criminal offense of continual sexual abuse of a child—which is sometimes a first-degree felony offense.

In Arizona, sexual abuse of a child is a serious criminal offense. Under Arizona law, sexual abuse includes any direct or indirect sexual contact with a minor (a person under the age of 18). This encompasses a range of behaviors such as fondling or touching a child's genitals, having a child touch an adult's genitals, exposing oneself to a child, or involving a child in the production of pornography. Arizona Revised Statutes § 13-1405 defines sexual conduct with a minor, and § 13-1410 specifically addresses sexual abuse of a minor under 15 years of age, which is considered a more severe offense. Additionally, Arizona has laws against child molestation (§ 13-1410) and commercial sexual exploitation of a minor (§ 13-3552), which includes producing, distributing, or possessing child pornography. Continual sexual abuse of a child is addressed under § 13-1417, which defines the offense as occurring when someone commits at least three acts of sexual abuse, molestation, or other specified offenses against a child under 14 over a period of at least three months. This is a class 2 felony, which can be elevated to a class 1 felony under certain circumstances, such as if the perpetrator has a prior conviction for a similar offense.