--- title: My older cousins showed me pornography when I was in 2nd grade and I’m trying to find out if there is an abuse category for that? ~ Our Wave Community description:

Thank you for reaching out to us and asking this question. I'm sorry to hear that you went through that experience at such a young age. Being exposed to... url: https://community.ourwave.org/en/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436.md --- {{customAnalyticsScripts}} [\[Image: Our Wave Logo\]\[Image: Our Wave Logo\]](/en/) [ Community ](/en/)[ Questions & Answers ](/en/learn)[ Find Support ](/en/resources) Share story Post a message 0 Users 0 Views 0 Reactions 0 Stories read ##### Need to take a break? Try a grounding activity For immediate help, visit {{resource}} Show resources for \[Image: United States\]United States [\[Image: Argentina\]Argentina](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=ar)[\[Image: Australia\]Australia](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=au)[\[Image: Bolivia\]Bolivia](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=bo)[\[Image: Canada\]Canada](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=ca)[\[Image: Chile\]Chile](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=cl)[\[Image: Colombia\]Colombia](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=co)[\[Image: Costa Rica\]Costa Rica](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=cr)[\[Image: Cuba\]Cuba](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=cu)[\[Image: Dominican Republic\]Dominican Republic](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=do)[\[Image: Ecuador\]Ecuador](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=ec)[\[Image: El Salvador\]El Salvador](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=sv)[\[Image: Equatorial Guinea\]Equatorial Guinea](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=gq)[\[Image: Guatemala\]Guatemala](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=gt)[\[Image: Honduras\]Honduras](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=hn)[\[Image: Ireland\]Ireland](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=ie)[\[Image: Japan\]Japan](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=jp)[\[Image: Mexico\]Mexico](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=mx)[\[Image: Nicaragua\]Nicaragua](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=ni)[\[Image: New Zealand\]New Zealand](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=nz)[\[Image: Panama\]Panama](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=pa)[\[Image: Paraguay\]Paraguay](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=py)[\[Image: Peru\]Peru](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=pe)[\[Image: Puerto Rico\]Puerto Rico](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=pr)[\[Image: Spain\]Spain](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=es)[\[Image: United Kingdom\]United Kingdom](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=gb)[\[Image: Uruguay\]Uruguay](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=uy)[\[Image: Venezuela\]Venezuela](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=ve) English [English](/en/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436)[Español](/es/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436)[日本語](/ja/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436) [ About Us ](https://www.ourwave.org/en/who-we-are) Made with in Raleigh, NC Read our [Community Guidelines](https://www.ourwave.org/en/community-guidelines), [Privacy Policy](https://www.ourwave.org/en/privacy), and [Terms](https://www.ourwave.org/en/terms) Have feedback? Send it to us 🇺🇸 # My older cousins showed me pornography when I was in 2nd grade and I’m trying to find out if there is an abuse category for that? \[Image: Dr. Laura\] Answer by **Dr. Laura** PhD Mental Health Nurse & Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Topics:[Making sense of childhood experiences](/en/learn?tags=making-sense-of-childhood-experiences) Thank you for reaching out to us and asking this question. I'm sorry to hear that you went through that experience at such a young age. Being exposed to pornography as a child, especially by older individuals, can be confusing and upsetting. What you described could certainly be considered a form of childhood sexual abuse or exploitation, especially if you feel that those labels resonate with your experience. More specifically, it could fall under "non-contact sexual abuse," which includes exposing a child to sexual materials or acts that are inappropriate for their age. This can include exposing a child to sexual content/pornography, making a child watch sexual acts, or exposing a child to adult sexual activity. Such experiences can have lasting effects on one's emotional and psychological well-being. Being exposed to pornography at a young age can be particularly impactful because children aren't developmentally prepared to process sexual content. This early exposure can affect how a person develops their understanding of relationships, intimacy, and sexuality. Some people might experience confusion about appropriate sexual boundaries, anxiety around sexual topics, or intrusive memories of the exposure. Others might notice impacts on their relationships or self-image. The involvement of family members (cousins in this case) can add another layer of complexity, as it may affect family dynamics and feelings of trust and safety within familial relationships. Different people process these experiences in different ways - some might feel immediate distress, while others might not recognize the impact until later in life. Both reactions are normal. Some survivors report feeling anger, shame, or confusion when looking back on these experiences, while others might question whether their reactions are valid since it was "just" exposure to content. It's important to know that your feelings about this experience, whatever they may be, are valid. If you're reflecting on this now and finding it troubling, it might be helpful to talk to a mental health professional or counselor who specializes in childhood trauma. They can provide support and guidance tailored to your specific experience and needs. They can help you process these feelings, understand the impact of early exposure, and develop coping strategies if needed. Remember, you're not alone in this experience. Thank you for trusting us with it. We are here for you. Random Question 0 Upvote(s) Upvote(s) [ 0 Comment(s) Comment(s) ](/en/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436#comments) #### Just Checking... #### Discard Message? You have a comment in progress, are you sure you want to discard it? Cancel Discard ##### Similar community content Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem. Nulla consequat massa quis enim. Donec pede justo, fringilla vel, aliquet nec, vulputate Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem. Nulla consequat massa quis enim. Donec pede justo, fringilla vel, aliquet nec, vulputate Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit. Aenean commodo ligula eget dolor. Aenean massa. Cum sociis natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Donec quam felis, ultricies nec, pellentesque eu, pretium quis, sem. Nulla consequat massa quis enim. Donec pede justo, fringilla vel, aliquet nec, vulputate 0 Users 0 Views 0 Reactions 0 Stories read ##### Need to take a break? Try a grounding activity For immediate help, visit {{resource}} Show resources for \[Image: United States\]United States [\[Image: Argentina\]Argentina](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=ar)[\[Image: Australia\]Australia](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=au)[\[Image: Bolivia\]Bolivia](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=bo)[\[Image: Canada\]Canada](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=ca)[\[Image: Chile\]Chile](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=cl)[\[Image: Colombia\]Colombia](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=co)[\[Image: Costa Rica\]Costa Rica](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=cr)[\[Image: Cuba\]Cuba](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=cu)[\[Image: Dominican Republic\]Dominican Republic](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=do)[\[Image: Ecuador\]Ecuador](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=ec)[\[Image: El Salvador\]El Salvador](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=sv)[\[Image: Equatorial Guinea\]Equatorial Guinea](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=gq)[\[Image: Guatemala\]Guatemala](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=gt)[\[Image: Honduras\]Honduras](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=hn)[\[Image: Ireland\]Ireland](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=ie)[\[Image: Japan\]Japan](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=jp)[\[Image: Mexico\]Mexico](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=mx)[\[Image: Nicaragua\]Nicaragua](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=ni)[\[Image: New Zealand\]New Zealand](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=nz)[\[Image: Panama\]Panama](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=pa)[\[Image: Paraguay\]Paraguay](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=py)[\[Image: Peru\]Peru](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=pe)[\[Image: Puerto Rico\]Puerto Rico](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=pr)[\[Image: Spain\]Spain](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=es)[\[Image: United Kingdom\]United Kingdom](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=gb)[\[Image: Uruguay\]Uruguay](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=uy)[\[Image: Venezuela\]Venezuela](/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436?country=ve) English [English](/en/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436)[Español](/es/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436)[日本語](/ja/answer/my-older-cousins-showed-me-pornography-when-i-was-in-2nd-grade-and-im-trying-to-find-out-if-there-is-an-abuse-category-for-that-436) For immediate help, visit {{resource}} Made with in Raleigh, NC | Read our [Community Guidelines](https://www.ourwave.org/en/community-guidelines), [Privacy Policy](https://www.ourwave.org/en/privacy), and [Terms](https://www.ourwave.org/en/terms) | [ #### Resources ](/en/resources) ### Post a Message Share a message of support with the community. Continue We will send you an email as soon as your message is posted, as well as send helpful resources and support. Post Please adhere to our [Community Guidelines](https://www.ourwave.org/en/community-guidelines) to help us keep Our Wave a safe space. All messages will be reviewed and identifying information removed before they are posted. ### Ask a Question Ask a question about survivorship or supporting survivors. Continue We will send you an email as soon as your question is answered, as well as send helpful resources and support. Submit ### How can we help? Tell us why you are reporting this content. Our moderation team will review your report shortly. Violence, hate, or exploitation Threats, hateful language, or sexual coercion Bullying or unwanted contact Harassment, intimidation, or persistent unwanted messages Scam, fraud, or impersonation Deceptive requests or claiming to be someone else False information Misleading claims or deliberate disinformation Submit ### Share Feedback Tell us what’s working (and what isn't) so we can keep improving. Submit ### Log in Enter the email you used to submit to Our Wave and we'll send you a magic link to access your profile. Send link Grounding activity Find a comfortable place to sit. Gently close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths - in through your nose (count to 3), out through your mouth (count of 3). Now open your eyes and look around you. Name the following out loud: 5 – things you can see (you can look within the room and out of the window) 4 – things you can feel (what is in front of you that you can touch?) 3 – things you can hear 2 – things you can smell 1 – thing you like about yourself. Take a deep breath to end. From where you are sitting, look around for things that have a texture or are nice or interesting to look at. Hold an object in your hand and bring your full focus to it. Look at where shadows fall on parts of it or maybe where there are shapes that form within the object. Feel how heavy or light it is in your hand and what the surface texture feels like under your fingers (This can also be done with a pet if you have one). Take a deep breath to end. Ask yourself the following questions and answer them out loud: 1\. Where am I? 2\. What day of the week is today? 3\. What is today’s date? 4\. What is the current month? 5\. What is the current year? 6\. How old am I? 7\. What season is it? Take a deep breath to end. Put your right hand palm down on your left shoulder. Put your left hand palm down on your right shoulder. Choose a sentence that will strengthen you. For example: “I am powerful.” Say the sentence out loud first and pat your right hand on your left shoulder, then your left hand on your right shoulder. Alternate the patting. Do ten pats altogether, five on each side, each time repeating your sentences aloud. Take a deep breath to end. Cross your arms in front of you and draw them towards your chest. With your right hand, hold your left upper arm. With your left hand, hold your right upper arm. Squeeze gently, and pull your arms inwards. Hold the squeeze for a little while, finding the right amount of squeeze for you in this moment. Hold the tension and release. Then squeeze for a little while again and release. Stay like that for a moment. Take a deep breath to end. Try another grounding activity I feel grounded and ready