Indicators and Signs of Possible Child Abuse

Every child is different, and every child will react differently to trauma. Below are some common indicators of child sexual abuse. If you are concerned, please trust your intuition.

Dramatic or sudden changes in appetite
Abrupt changes in child's typical behavior and attitudes
Sleep disturbances: nightmares, fear of going to bed, fear of sleeping alone or sleeping without a light
Depression or excessive crying
Regression: exhibiting behavior more common to an earlier age--thumb sucking, bedwetting, needing a bottle, soiling pants, etc.
Nervous or aggressive behavior towards adults (often a child will displace the anger she/he is feeling towards the offender onto another adult.
Unusual reaction to (or fear of) a specific person, or showing a reluctance to be with a particular person or go to a particular place
Extreme fears or phobias
Clinging to one parent
Expressing explicit sexual knowledge beyond the child's age level
Sexual self-consciousness, extreme modesty
Drop in school grades or participation in activities
Self-destructive behavior (i.e. drug or alcohol abuse)
Running away: victims of sexual abuse (especially within the family) may see this as the only possibility for escaping the abuse
Sexual "play" behavior. Sometimes children will "play" sex games with peers. Curiosity & sexual exploration are normal at all stages of a child's development, but the expression of explicit sexual play could be an indicator of child sexual abuse.
Coercive sexual "play" behavior (i.e. coercing another child to engage in unwanted sexual activity) may be a child's way of acting out what is happening to her/him.
Displaying an unusual interest in the genitals of peers, adults or animals. Again, curiosity & sexual exploration are normal at all stages of a child's development, but an unusual interest in genitalia could be an indicator of child sexual abuse.
Withdrawal or isolation from friends. Frequently, offenders try to keep their victims isolated from other family members and friends. Therefore, the victim may develop poor social skills and be unable to form or continue close relationships.
Stories of a "friend's" abuse: this may disguise a child's own abuse. It is important to offer to help in any way possible, whether for the friend or the child him or herself.