Child sexual abuse is a horrifying reality. With 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys being a victim of child sexual abuse, it is reasonable for parents to be concerned about their child’s safety. Sexual abuse is a traumatic experience that can alter the basic functioning of an individual, so when the victim is a child, the consequences can be even more dire.
But what if the abuser is someone the child and the family trust?
Abusers often use tactics to get the child to do what they want, such as threats, coercion, manipulation, etc. Survivors of child sexual abuse often state that they felt that they were compelled to do what the abuser wanted because they were scared of the consequences or that they just didn’t understand what was going on with them. This is why it is important for people to be aware of the signs of child sexual abuse.
This blog explains the various signs of child sexual abuse to look out for.
Behavioral Changes
- Bringing Up Sexual Topics: If you were to notice that a child has suspiciously extensive knowledge about topics related to sex, is asking a lot of questions, or keeps bringing up the topic. The child could also have more sexual behavior that could be considered inappropriate for their age.
- Becoming Secretive: Abusers often threaten or manipulate the child to keep whatever is happening as a secret, in other cases, the trauma of being abused might cause the child to draw back socially. The child might start to keep secrets from their family, not talk as much as they used to, or tend to stay alone in their room for an extended time.
- Fear of Being Alone: In some cases, children might become afraid of being left alone. They might start to get scared of being away from their caregivers or of being with a specific person. This behavior can be especially alarming if it is new for the child.
- Regressive Behavior: Relapsing into behaviors that the child has overcome, such as sucking their thumb, wetting the bed, etc. This is usually a response to trauma caused by child sexual abuse.
Emotional signs
- Change in Mood: Children who experience sexual abuse are likely to have major mood fluctuations, such as often being irritable, anxious, scared, or even aggressive. This is usually because of the emotional trauma and the mental pressure caused by sexual abuse.
- Low Confidence: Children might start having confidence issues, this may be because of guilt, shame, or even a result of the shattered sense of security. This can lead to withdrawal and self-doubt issues, which can grow over time.
- Eating Habits: Children may drastically change their eating habits. They might start eating excessively or might avoid eating altogether. This is usually a result of the stress, fear, and anxiety that builds up. Some children might use food as a coping mechanism.
- Lack of Interest: Children might lose interest in things they used to love to do before, be it school, extra-curricular activities, etc. They might find it difficult to concentrate on said activities or might avoid doing certain things to avoid the abuser or other adults who might figure it out.
Physical Symptoms
- Infections: Children who are sexually abused are more likely to face infections such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) or sexually transmitted infections or diseases (STI/STD).
- Injuries: Abuse might involve the use of physical force, so there might be signs such as bruises, burns, injuries, etc., this can also be a result of self-harm. This can be especially alarming if the child gives unconvincing stories to explain the injuries.
- Hygiene: Child sexual abuse can lead to mental health problems like depression, self-esteem issues, etc., and this may show signs such as a lack of personal hygiene. This might be due to the depleting sense of self or because of the neglect that comes with depression.
- Other Physical Signs: Some other physical signs of child sexual abuse are:
- Blood stains on sheets or garments
- Wounds in the genital area
- Genital discharge
- Difficulty sitting or walking
