molestation

[ moh-le-stey-shuhn, mol-e- ]

noun

1. touching a nonconsenting person, especially a child, in a sexual manner: sexual abuse.

   He was arrested on charges of lewd and lascivious molestation and child abuse.

2. an act or instance of interference with or violence against someone:

   Under the terms of the citadel’s surrender, the Persians were allowed to pass without molestation through the midst of the Roman army.

Word History and Origins

Origin of molestation¹

First recorded in 1600–10; molest ( def ) + -ation ( def )

Example Sentences

When she reported the alleged molestation to police, Keysha told officers that she believed the child was “embellishing” at first, until she saw the abuse firsthand by Preston, whom she was in the process of divorcing.

From The Daily Beast

Of those arrested locally, most had prior criminal convictions or pending criminal charges, according to the department, which included child molestation, domestic violence, assault, various drug charges, theft and driving under the influence.

From Voice of San Diego

Blake told her she first learned of the molestation when she was called at work by social services and told they were beginning an investigation into Mouser.

From ProPublica

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