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A Quick Review
of the Indicators of Child Sexual Abuse
Child sexual abuse
victims may exhibit a number of physical and
behavioral
indicators that they are being abused. Hence, many sex abuse
prevention methods
are based on making parents and other caring adults
aware of the
behavioral warning signs of abuse. In addition to
awareness, these
prevention methods prescribe an appropriate response
to suspicious
behavior. But, an appropriate response begins when a
parent or other
caring adult observes warning signs of possible abuse.
Behavioral changes
are a clear sign that something is impacting a
child’s life.
Parents and caregivers should be alert to any noticeable
changes in a
child’s behavior. Remember, the existence of a particular
warning sign (or
set of warning signs) does not definitively indicate
that a child is
being abused. However, the appearance of even a single
warning sign
should cause responsible and caring adults to look more
closely for
additional indicators that a child is in danger.
Here are some
behaviors that indicate the possibility that a child is
being sexually abused:
• Insomnia or
increased sleeping.
• Recurrent nightmares.
• Crying and
whining for no apparent reason.
• Fear of or
withdrawal from adults, or increased dependency on
(non-abusing) adults.
• Sudden
regressive behavior (children acting much younger than they
are).
• Changes in
schoolwork or a drop in grades.
• Sudden
aggressiveness or hostility.
• Withdrawal
and isolation from others.
• Fear of the dark.
Here are some
behaviors that indicate the possibility that an
adolescent is
being sexually abused:
• Avoiding
specific persons, or wanting to be alone with specific
persons.
• Poor or
deteriorating peer relationships, including increased
hostility, anger,
and aggressiveness with peers.
• Poor self
esteem or self image.
• Dramatic
change in performance at school (a sudden drop in
performance or a
sudden improvement).
• Increased
hostility, anger, aggressiveness with siblings.
• Excessive bathing.
• Running
away from home.
• Attempted
suicide or thoughts of suicide.
• Sexual
interest in or abuse of younger children.
These are some
strong indicators that a teenage girl is being sexually
abused:
•
Indiscriminate sexual activity.
• Seductive behavior.
• Involvement
in prostitution or pornography.
• Marriage at
an early age.
In addition to the
behavioral warning signs, there are some specific
physical
indicators of abuse in both girls and boys. These physical
warning signs include:
• Recurring
urinary tract infections.
• Sexually
transmitted disease.
• Torn or
stained undergarments.
• Bleeding or
cracks and tears around the mouth, vagina, or anus.
• General
increase in headaches, stomachaches, and other physical complaints.
• Gagging on
food or vomiting while trying to eat.
• Wetting or
soiling bed or undergarments.
• Unexplained
rashes and bruises.
• Pregnancy
at an early age (girls).
• Difficulty
in walking or sitting.
• Unusual
genital itching.
• Self abuse
(e.g., cutting themselves, burning themselves, or some
other forms of
deliberate infliction of pain and/or injury by the child
on himself or herself).
Bottom Line:
The prevention of
child sexual abuse begins with informed, aware, and
caring adults.
Become familiar with both the behavior and physical
indicators of
child sexual abuse. If you suspect a child is being
sexually abused,
contact the appropriate individuals within your
organization (if
applicable) and report your concerns to child
protective
services in your state. |
