(Arévalo et al., 2014 Mayo Clinic Child and Family Advocacy Center, n.d. Losing interest in school, friends, hobbies, or things they used to love.Decrease in confidence or the way they feel about themselves.New or increased depression, aggression, worry, or fearfulness.Nightmares, trouble sleeping, or fear of being alone at night.Self-harm behaviors (such as cutting or burning) or suicidal behavior.Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, n.d.-a Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, n.d.-b Stop It Now, n.d.) Emotional Signs Removing clothing at inappropriate times.Talking about a new friend that is an older child or adult.Refusing to share secrets they share with an older child or adult.Having money, toys, or gifts without being able to explain where they came from.Frequent absences from school or other activities.Sexual language, knowledge, or behavior that does not match a child’s age (such as acting out a sexual act with toys or inappropriate sexual contact with other children).Regressing to behaviors they had grown out of such as wetting the bed or sucking their thumb.Trying to avoid certain places or people, especially if they used to be excited to be around those people.Reluctance to leave school or other activities not wanting to go home.Desire to spend an unusual amount of time alone.Withdrawal from previously regular interactions and conversations with peers and parents or activities they previously enjoyed.Knowledge about sexual topics that goes beyond the child’s developmental stage (or what is expected for them to know about at their age).Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, n.d.-a Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network, n.d.-b Stop It Now, n.d.) Behavioral Signs Physical symptoms such as headaches or stomachaches that cannot be explained.Toileting accidents unrelated to toilet training. Persistent or recurring pain with urination or bowel movements.Pain, bleeding, or discharge in the genitals, anus, or mouth.Unexplained injuries, especially to the genital area.Sexually transmitted infections or pregnancy.A child’s response is unique to them as an individual and may or may not include the common signs mentioned. The following physical, behavioral, and emotional signs are not meant to serve as an exhaustive list of the ways children experiencing sexual abuse may act, feel, or work through their trauma. Being able to recognize the physical, behavioral, and emotional impacts a child may be experiencing as a result of sexual abuse is a vital first step in keeping our children, families, and communities safe. While it is important to remember that the impacts of child sexual abuse are complex and manifest themselves in ways unique to each individual, there are still a number of common possible signs and symptoms to look out for in your work as a volunteer with Michigan State University (MSU) Extension, a parent of a child, or a community member. This can include things such as intercourse or sex of any kind and sexual touching, but also moves beyond these iterations to encompass exhibitionism, sex trafficking, or owning or producing child pornography (Rape Abuse and Incest National Network, n.d.-a). It is a pervasive global issue that serves as a threat to a child’s wellness and safety, and can lead to long-term emotional, psychological, or behavioral impacts. Child Sexual AbuseĬhild sexual abuse is defined as an adult or older child’s sexual contact with a child, which may or may not involve physical contact. The series introduces key concepts and age-appropriate ideas and activities for protecting the children you love and helping them learn and build skills and knowledge that will reduce their risk of being victimized. The Keeping Kids Safe series was created to help parents and primary caregivers learn concrete ways to keep children and teens safe from sexual abuse. Most people have a hard time thinking and talking about child sexual abuse, but if we’re going to prevent it, we must all think, talk, and take action about it. Trigger Warning: This document contains information to help recognize the signs and symptoms of child sexual abuse and violence, which may be triggering to survivors. When we use the words family and parent in this fact sheet, we do so inclusively and with great respect for all adults who care for and work with young people. Parents may be biological, step-, foster, adoptive, legally appointed, or something else. A family may include people who are related by blood, by marriage, and by choice. Families and parents come in all shapes, sizes, and styles. In this series of fact sheets, we have chosen to use the inclusive words they, their, and them as singular, nongendered pronouns.
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