Child sexual abuse is the exploitation of a minor child to meet the sexual or emotional needs of an adult or older child.
Non-touching offenses may include verbal sexual stimulation, such as frank discussion about sexual acts intended to arouse the child's interest or shock the child; obscene telephone calls; exhibitionism or voyeurism.
Touching offenses may include fondling; vaginal, oral or anal intercourse or attempted intercourse; touching of the genitals; incest; prostitution; and rape.
The scope of the problem
Unfortunately, sexual abuse occurs more often than we like to think. National statistics tell us that one out of every four girls and one out of every seven boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18.
Indicators of sexual abuse
The following is a partial list of indicators which do not necessarily indicate sexual abuse in children but which may indicate a serious problem deserving further scrutiny. For children who are non-verbal or who have difficulty communicating, these indicators will often appear as a change in the child's behavior.
Behavioral indicators
Abrupt changes in behavior
Sexual behaviors with classmates
Refusal to undress for physical education
Reluctance to go home
Report of sexual involvement with an adult
Low self-esteem
Wearing many layers of clothing regardless of the weather
Recurrent nightmares or disturbed sleep patterns and fear of the dark
Regression to more infantile behavior like bed-wetting, thumb-sucking or excessive crying.
Unusual interest in, or knowledge of, sexual matters
Physical indicators
Sexually transmitted disease
Pregnancy in a young child
Complaints of pain or itching in the genital area
Difficulty in walking or sitting
Repeated unusual injuries
Familial indicators
Significant crisis in the family, like death, divorce, separation, long-term illness, drug or alcohol problems or unemployment
Jealous or overly protective family members
Isolation of the child and family members from the community
Frequent absences from the home by one of the parents
Pattern of rigid, restrictive control by the father of one or more female children
An inordinate participation by the father in family life and over-dependence on him by the mother
Unreasonable explanations given for child's injury or blaming injury on a third party
Delay in seeking medical attention for child or history of taking child to several different doctors or emergency rooms
Parents who were abused as children themselves
What you might feel if you think your child has been abused
Blame, disbelief, fear and anger are common reactions of parents of abused children. These feelings are normal and should be addressed, but should not be directed at the child.
What you should do if you think your child has been abused
Believe the child. Children rarely lie about sexual abuse.
Convey your support for the child. A child's greatest fear is that he or she is at fault and responsible for the incident.
If you would like more information on child sexual abuse, or if you suspect a child is being abused, please call our 24-hour support line at 816-531-0233 or 913-642-0233.
