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 Mississippi, sexual abuse of a child is addressed under various statutes that criminalize sexual conduct with minors. According to Mississippi Code Section 97-5-23, any person who is found guilty of committing a sexual battery against a child under the age of 14 can be charged with a felony. Sexual battery is defined as engaging in sexual penetration with a child who is under the statutory age of consent, which is 16 years old in Mississippi, or when the victim is incapacitated. Additionally, Mississippi Code Section 97-5-27 covers the crime of gratification of lust, which includes any lewd touching of a child under the age of 16 by an adult for sexual pleasure. The state also has laws against the exploitation of children, including the production or distribution of child pornography, under Mississippi Code Section 97-5-33. Furthermore, Mississippi Code Section 97-5-41 addresses the offense of exposing a child to sexually oriented material. While Mississippi does not have a specific statute for continual sexual abuse of a child, the aforementioned laws cover various forms of sexual abuse and exploitation, and multiple offenses can lead to enhanced penalties, including life imprisonment for certain sexual battery convictions involving children.