Signs & Symptoms of Sexual Abuse

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE

Most people are unsure of what to look for when considering signs a child may be a victim of sexual abuse. To complicate matters, children often do not display signs of having been sexually abused for months or even years after the abuse has occurred. Many parents and caregivers look back and recognize signs of sexual abuse they did not notice before. That’s understandable since most caregivers are not expecting someone to abuse their child, and are not educated about what to look for in the first place. Remember, sexual abusers are very good at manipulating and hiding their behavior. Ultimately, blame for sexual abuse is always the perpetrator’s, never the caregiver’s and never the child’s.

For quick reference, a Don’t Miss the Signs flyer about the most common signs and symptoms of sexual abuse is available in English and Spanish.

Behavioral Signs and Symptoms of Sexual Abuse

Nightmares, night terrors, bed-wetting
Excessive masturbation
Inappropriate sexual knowledge or behavior
Frequent sexual play or acting out with siblings, friends, pets or toys
Sudden onset of aggressive behavior
Large weight changes
Becomes overly protective of siblings
Withdrawal and/or disinterest in normally enjoyed activities
Poor concentration (may affect school performance)
Regressive behaviors (acting younger than one’s age)
Anxiety, guilt, depression
Sudden reluctance to be alone with a certain person
Sudden fear of certain place or person
Unexplained/frequent health complaints (stomachache, headache, “don’t feel well”)
Uncomfortable or resisting physical contact

Older Children/Teens

Self-harming (cutting, refusing to eat, suicide attempts)
Running away
Disruptive in school; skipping classes or playing hooky
Sexual promiscuity, especially with older teens or adults
Drug and alcohol abuse
Unexplained gifts, clothes and/or money

Physical Signs

Difficulty walking or sitting
Sexually transmitted disease (especially for children under 14)
Pregnancy (especially for children under 14) with refusal to name the father
Frequent yeast or urinary infections
Bruised or bleeding genital area
Pain, itching or burning of genital area