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Over and over again, children who have been sexually abused report that their
abuser used some or all of the following techniques and behaviors. These
are warning signs that the child is being sexually exploited, or is being
groomed:
- Treating them differently from other kids, telling them how special they
are
- Wanting to spend time alone with the child, making excuses to go places
alone or have others leave
- Asking the child to do things that involve physical contact
such as backrubs, wrestling, massages (or doing those things to the child)
- Rubbing or touching the child's private parts and then
saying it was an accident
- Looking at or touching the child's body and saying it is an
inspection to see how they are developing
- Rubbing lotion or ointment on the child when no one
else is around or when nothing is wrong
- Going into the child's room when they are undressed or
going into the bathroom when the child is in there, and saying it was an
accident
- Not respecting the child's privacy--entering their room
without knocking, not allowing the child to close bedroom or bathroom doors
- Teaching sex education by showing the child pornographic
pictures, showing his body or touching the child's body
- Saying sexual things to the child about their body and how
they look
- Talking to the child about sexual things he has done
- Telling the child private things about his wife/the child's
mother
- Telling the child that he/she is special, the only person
who understands him
- Treating the child like an adult, while acting like a kid
- Giving the child special privileges or favors and making
the child feel obligated
- Not letting the child have friends or do things that other
kids the same age do.
- Going into the child's room at night or arranging for the
child to stay over
- Letting his robe open or walking around naked
"accidentally"
- Insist that the child not tell anyone
- Taking the child's side in family conflicts to gain the
child's trust & create division in the family
- Isolating the child from friends and family
If you have questions or concerns, contact the
24-hour Sexual Assault Resource Line at 1-888-99-VOICE to talk to a trained,
professional counselor.
back to information for parents
King County
Sexual Assault Resource Center
Copyright © 2007 KCSARC. All rights reserved.