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Signs of Child Sexual Abuse

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Signs of Child Sexual Abuse and What Is Child Sexual Abuse

This article will provide some facts and warning signs of child sexual abuse from the child and the offender. First, let's take a look at what child sexual abuse is. Child sexual abuse occurs when any person in a position of power, authority or influence, imposes any form of sexual activity upon a child. Child sexual abuse may involve touching the intimate parts of a child's body, enticing or forcing the child to have sexual relations, or participating in non-touching offenses, such as obscene phone calls or taking pornographic photos.

Contents at a Glance

The Facts On Signs of Child Sexual Abuse
Other Stuff To Help With Child Sexual Ab...
Warning Signs of Child Sexual Abuse
Warning Signs of Child Sexual Abuse By T...
Are There Sex Offenders Living In Your N...
Featured Lenses

The Facts On Signs of Child Sexual Abuse

Past research reports that 1 out of every 4 girls and 1 out of every 6 boys will experience sexual abuse prior to the age of 18.¹

It is important to know that only 30% of cases are reported² and therefore these numbers may actually be higher.

In 93% of child sexual abuse cases, the child knows the offender of the abuse.³

Most child molesters are acquaintances and as many as 47% are family members. 4

Other Stuff To Help With Child Sexual Abuse

Warning Signs of Child Sexual Abuse

The following child behaviors will help identify possible warning signs of child sexual abuse. These behaviors do not mean that a child has been absolutely sexually abused, but rather suggest that you may want to begin asking the child questions or consider seeking help. Behavior you may see in a child could be:

The child experiences nightmares or other sleep problems without an explanation

The child seems distracted or distant at odd times

Has a sudden change in eating habits, Refuses to eat, Loses or drastically increases appetite

Has trouble swallowing

Sudden mood swings: rage, fear, insecurity, or withdrawal

Leaves "clues" that seem likely to provoke a discussion about sexual issues

Writes, draws, plays, or dreams of sexual or frightening images

Develops new or unusual fear of certain people or places

Refuses to talk about a secret shared with an adult or older child

Talks about a new older friend

Suddenly has money, toys, or other gifts without reason

Thinks of self or body as repulsive, dirty, or bad

Exhibits adult-like sexual behaviors, language, and knowledge

Warning Signs of Child Sexual Abuse By The Perpetrator (5)

If someone exploits the following behaviors with a child, again, it doesn't mean the individual is a perpetrator, but rather, it may indicate signs of child abuse:

Making others uncomfortable by ignoring social, emotional, or physical boundaries or limits.

Refusing to let a child set any of his or her own limits. Using teasing or belittling language to keep a child from setting a limit.

Insisting on hugging, touching, kissing, tickling, wrestling with, or holding a child even when the child does not want this physical contact or attention.

Turning to a child for emotional or physical comfort by sharing personal or private information or activities that are normally shared with adults.

Frequently pointing out sexual images or telling inappropriate or suggestive jokes with children present.

Exposing a child to adult sexual interactions without apparent concern.

Having secret interactions with teens or children (e.g., games; sharing drugs, alcohol, or sexual material) or spending excessive time e-mailing, text-messaging, or calling children or youth.

Being overly interested in the sexuality of a particular child or teen (e.g., talks repeatedly about the child's developing body or interferes with normal teen dating).

Insisting on or managing to spend unusual amounts of uninterrupted time alone with a child.

Seeming "too good to be true" (e.g., frequently babysits different children for free, takes children on special outings alone, buys children gifts or gives them money for no apparent reason).

Frequently walking in on children/teens in the bathroom.

Allowing children or teens to consistently get away with inappropriate behaviors.

Are There Sex Offenders Living In Your Neighborhood?

Featured Lenses

Article References:

Briere, J., Eliot, D. M. "Prevalence and Psychological Sequence of Self-Reported Childhood Physical and Sexual Abuse in General Population: Child Abuse and Neglect," 2003, 27:10.

Stop It Now!, available online: http://www.stopitnow.org/behaviors_watch_adult_with_children.

Douglas, Emily, and Finkelhor, D., Childhood sexual abuse fact sheet, http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/factsheet/pdf/childhoodSexual AbuseFactSheet.pdf, Crimes Against Children Research Center, May 2005.

Briere, J., Eliot, D. M. "Prevalence and Psychological Sequence of Self-Reported Childhood Physical and Sexual Abuse in General Population: Child Abuse and Neglect," 2003, 27:10.