| What are the Warning Signs? |
| Because most children cannot or do not reveal sexual abuse, it is up to concerned caregivers to recognize the signs. None of these behaviors alone mean abuse, however a combination of these signs over a period of time may strongly suggest sexual abuse. |
| The following is a list of several common signs of child sexual abuse: |
- Physical complaints; “stomach” ache
- Withdrawing from social activities
- Sudden and unexplained bedwetting
- Fear or dislike of certain people or places
- Extreme changes in behavior
- Depression
- Sleep disturbances; nightmares
- Going back to younger behaviors (bed-wetting, baby talk, wanting to sleep with parents)
- Age-inappropriate interest in sex
- Excessive masturbation
- Frequent genital infections or irritation
- Difficulty with bowel movements, urinating or swallowing
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| In older children, you may see additional behaviors such as: |
- Cutting or burning her or himself
- Drug and/or alcohol abuse
- Eating disorders
- Withdrawal from regular activities with peers
- Suicide attempts
- Sexually transmitted infections/diseases
- Sexually abusing other children
- Discipline problems
- Running away
- Promiscuity
- Pregnancy
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