 Children often do not
verbalize that they are being sexually abused. Some of the reasons may include: |
|
- Feelings of guilt or shame |
|
- Fear they won’t be believed |
|
- Fear of punishment by parents |
|
- Fear of harm to themselves or family |
|
- Fear of breaking up family |
|
- Fear of losing the affection of the perpetrator |
|
- Lack of vocabulary to express the experience |
| Children may verbalize the abuse indirectly, for
example: |
|
"I don’t like Mr. Smith." |
|
"I don’t want to go to Grandpa’s
anymore." |
|
"Mr. Adams has funny underwear." |
|
"I have a secret I can’t tell anyone." |
| Possible behavioral changes and/or indicators: |
|
- A reluctance to go to a particular place or to be with a
particular person |
|
- Imitating sexual play that is beyond developmental stage |
|
- Showing unusual interest in the genitals of other people
or animals |
|
- Expressing affection inappropriately (i.e., French
kissing) |
|
- New fears, clinging to a parent, needing more reassurance
than usual |
|
- Returning to younger, more "babyish" behaviors |
|
- Sleep disturbances, nightmares, bedwetting, fear of
sleeping alone |
|
- Loss of appetite, or sudden increase of appetite |
|
- Irritability, crankiness, behavior out of the normal
range |
|
- Suddenly turning against one parent
. |
|
Possible physical indicators: |
|
Venereal disease |
|
Sore genitals or bottom |
|
Redness or swelling of genitals |
|
Recurring infections |
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Recurring stomachaches and headaches without medical reason |
|
Pregnancy at 11 or 12, especially with no history of peer
socialization |
|
Complaints of pain or itching in the genital area |
|
Difficulty in walking or sitting |
|
Torn or stained clothing |
|
Note
|
| One Indicator
Alone May Not Mean Abuse |
|
It is important to look for changes in behavior, patterns of behavior, |
|
and the presence of more than one
indicator. . |
