Signs of Abuse
Telltale Signs of Hidden Hurts:
Approximately 80% of children who are molested or raped never tell anyone. Often, there are no telltale signs of abuse. So what’s a parent, friend or neighbor to do? One thing would be to look for signs—not just physical, but emotional and behavioral—telltale changes in a child’s actions and attitudes. Some of these signs can show up at other stressful times in a child’s life (like divorce or death of a family member, pet or friend) so while they may not be absolute red flags for abuse, one or more definitely mean you should begin to ask questions.
These are just a few of the signs you should know about.
Changes in behavior in younger children
Changes in behavior in older children
Do you notice any of the following behaviors in younger children you know well?
- Fascination with all things sexual, explicit mimicking of sexual play
- Hyperactivity, distractedness, disruptive or demanding behavior
- Fear of or embarrassment about a certain person or place
- Unusual dependency on a person or persons
- Discussion of a “secret” with an adult
- Sleep disturbances, bed wetting
- Changes in appetite
- Trying to always be perfect
Do you notice any of the following behaviors in older children you know well?
- Abrupt mood swings, hostility toward one parent, authority figures
- Sudden lack of interest in friends or school activities, truancy
- Lack of interest in self, sudden changes in physical care
- Depression, inability to have fun
- Fear or startle response at touch
- Change in appetite
Other behavioral signs possibly related to sexual abuse can include:
- drop in grades
- change in academic performance
- decrease in school functioning
- truancy
- difficulty concentrating
- regressive behavior
- acting out
- running away
- suicidal ideation and/or attempts
- self-destructive activities
- increased aggression
- increased fears
- changes in eating patterns
- nightmares
- sleeping with clothing on
- fear of sleep
- decrease in amount of sleep
- bed wetting
- excessive masturbation
- age-inappropriate sexual knowledge
- sexualized play
- seductive behavior
- promiscuity
- boundary issues
- sexual intrusiveness
- withdrawn
- depressed
- decrease in self-esteem
- increased fears
