How to Recognize Child Sexual Abuse

As with any form of abuse, child sexual abuse can take place within the family; perpetrated by a parent, step-parent, sibling or other relative; or outside the home; by a family friend, neighbor, child care person, teacher, peer, or stranger. When sexual abuse does occur, a child can develop a variety of abnormal feelings, thoughts and behaviors. A child who is the victim of prolonged/repeated sexual abuse usually develops extremely low self-esteem and distorted view of sex and may even become suicidal or continue the cycle of abuse by becoming an abuser later on in life. The following are signs of child sexual abuse, and advice on what you can do to stop the vicious cycle.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Compassion
• Information
• Desire to Help a Child

1. A sexually abused child may display some of these symptoms:
   - Unusual interest in or avoidance of all things of a sexual nature
   - Sleep problems or nightmares
   - An older child behaves like a younger child (age inappropriate behavior), such as bed-wetting, thumb sucking, throwing tantrums, crying
   - Develops new or unusual fear of certain people and/or places
   - Depression
   - Seductiveness or overly sexual behavior
   - May make statements that their bodies are dirty, damaged, repulsive or fear that there is something wrong with them in the genital area
   - Refusal to go to school
   - Delinquency/conduct problems while in school or in other social situations
   - Depicts aspects of sexual molestation in drawings, games, fantasies.
   - Has new/adult words for private body parts
   - Exhibits adult-like sexual behaviors, language and knowledge by asking other children to behave sexually or abusing them
   - Uses toys to depict sexual behavior or mutilates the toys in the genital region

2. Children who are victims of sexual abuse have serious problems with depression, substance abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, promiscuous behavior, criminal behavior, and difficulties in adult relationships, not to mention PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder).

3. If you suspect that a child is being sexually abused contact your local law enforcement and children’s services agency or call any of the numbers below. At the end of this article you will find links to their websites.
   
   1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) – Childhelp - National Child Abuse Hotline
   
   1-888-PREVENT (1-888-773-8368) – Stop It Now
   
   1-800-656-HOPE Rape, Abuse & **** National Network (RAINN)

Resources

• Childhelp - National Child Abuse Hotline
• Stop it Now
• Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)
• Children Who Torture and Kill Other Children or Adults

[drmargaretjamal]

on 1/19/2009 Articles like this are greatly needed. Many people avoid addressing these symptoms. We need more reminders to encourage support and help for victims. I wrote a book about this subject called, "When Girls Don't Tell". Another organization, Lightness to Dark offers online training for people who want to help also. Thanks. :-)

[Dino1353]

on 1/15/2009 Thanks for the article.

[keytothestars]

on 1/15/2009 More people need to acknowledge this as a very REAL problem in our society! Thanks for getting the word out =D

[colorfulspaces]

on 1/14/2009 thanks for your article