9yr old asked what rape means

[Crazycatladyx5]

On the way home the news was on in the car.....there was an article about a man raping children...I turned it off, but not quick enough. My 9 year old daughter asked me what 'rape" means.
I told her it meant hurting.
We have never talked about sex....I told her about periods recently but nothing else yet. I have 3 grown up children...my older daughters were about 10ish when we talked about sex...to explain where babies come from. My 9 yr old first asked that a long time ago & I've always just said the mum & dad have a special cuddle. I have bought a book which we will look at soon.
I just wondered if anyone else has dealt with a young child asking about rape.

My 10 yo dd asked last year after a TV story line. I kept it basic and she accepted my explanation.

I remember asking my dad what rape is when I was a similar age and heard it on the news. He answered me honestly. I think that’s the best thing tbh.

If they’re old enough to ask, they’re old enough for an (age related) explanation

I remember being told about it aged exactly 9 in our primary school cloakroom by a child with an older sister. I found it quite traumatic. Better to hear it from mum I think

Would it be better to explain sex first...then when she's digested that....explain what rape means?