Section topics: What is Child Sexual Abuse?, Warning Signs, For Parents/Caregivers
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
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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