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Potential Signs of Sexual Molestation in Children
Parents, grandparents, and guardians should be aware of the signs noted
below that could indicate your child has been sexually exploited. You
should note that some of these behaviors may have other explanations,
but it is important to help your child no matter what the cause of these
symptoms or behaviors. Resources and help can be obtained
through school systems, law enforcement, and child protection agencies.
- Changes in behavior, extreme mood swings, withdrawal, fearfulness,
and excessive crying
- Bed-wetting, nightmares, fear of going to bed, or other sleep disturbances
- Acting out inappropriate sexual activity or showing an unusual interest
in sexual matters
- A sudden acting out of feelings or aggressive or rebellious behavior
- Regression to infantile behavior; clinging
- School or behavioral problems
- Changes in toilet-training habits
- A fear of certain places, people, or activities
- Bruises, rashes, cuts, limping, multiple or poorly explained injuries
- Pain, itching, bleeding, fluid, or rawness in the private areas
If you observe any of these behaviors, it is important to try and determine
the cause. Behavioral changes such as these may be due to causes other
than sexual molestation such as a medical, family, or school problem.
Also, keep in mind that sometimes children do not always demonstrate
obvious signs such as these but may do or say something that suggests
the child may be a victim of sexual molestation.
Information adapted from
Just in Case...Parental guidelines in case you need a childcare
provider and Just
in Case...Guidelines in case your child might someday be the victim
of sexual exploitation.
Copyright © respectively 2007 and 1985, 2005 National Center
for Missing
& Exploited Children. All rights reserved.
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