Recognizing the Signs of Abuse
The majority of sexually abused children do not display signs of child sexual abuse making it often difficult to recognize child sexual abuse. The easiest way to identify sexual abuse is through disclosure; however, many children do not disclose or delay disclosure. If a child does not disclose, we must rely on any available physical or psychosocial signs of child sexual abuse.
Behavioral Signs
Behavioral problems (e.g. acting out, social withdrawal, overly compliant behavior, etc.)
Post-traumatic stress symptoms such as sleep problems, hypervigilance, nightmares, increased irritability, somatic complaints
Depressive symptoms such as feeling sad or hopeless, low energy, changes in appetite, losing interest in activities, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating
Displaying age-inappropriate sexual behavior
Having age-inappropriate sexual knowledge
Keeping secrets
Not wanting to be left alone with certain people or being afraid to be away from primary caregivers, especially if this is a new behavior
Regressive behaviors or resuming behaviors they had grown out of, such as thumbsucking or bedwetting
Physical Signs
Genital pain and genital bleeding
Abdominal pain
Cuts or bruising of genitals
STIs
It is important to remember that signs are only found in a minority of child sexual abuse victims. Approximately 95% of cases found no physical findings.
Signs That an Adult May Be Hurting a Child
Many perpetrators who sexually abuse children are someone the child and family knows and trusts—93 percent of child sexual assault victims know the perpetrator. This includes family members, members of faith communities, coaches, teachers, and other helping professionals. Be cautious of an adult who spends time with children and exhibits the following behaviors:
Does not respect boundaries or listen when someone tells them “no”
Engages in touching that a child or child’s parents/caregivers have indicated is unwanted
Tries to be a child’s friend rather than filling an adult role in the child’s life
Does not seem to have age-appropriate relationships
Talks with children about their personal problems or relationships
Communicate with children privately online or via text
Spends time alone with children outside of their role in the child’s life or makes up excuses to be alone with the child
Expresses unusual interest in child’s sexual development, such as commenting on sexual characteristics or sexualizing normal behaviors
Gives a child gifts without occasion or reason
Spends a lot of time with your child or another child you know
Restricts a child’s access to other adults
Sources: Darkness to Light RAINN