Sexual Abuse
Physical Signs:
- Any injury, soreness, redness, swelling or itching around
the genital or anal area
- Venereal disease
- Fluctuations in body mass
- Pregnancy
Behavioral Signs:
- Inappropriate sexual play with self and others
- Inappropriate sexually explicit drawings
- Knowledge of sexual acts that is age-inappropriate
- Seductive behaviour
- Excessive masturbation
- Double dressing
- Avoidance of bathrooms
- Late arrival or absence from school
- Personality changes
- Change in appetite
- Sudden weight gain/loss
- Self mutilation
- Inability to concentrate
- Locking doors
- Very eager to please others (over-compliance)
- Depression
- Suicidal tendencies
- Nightmares
- Not wanting friends to visit at home
- Not wanting to go home or getting home too early
- Promiscuity
- Prostitution
- Running away
Physical Abuse
Physical Signs:
- Unexplained bruises or marks
- Unexplained burns
- Fractures
- Lacerations (cuts)
- Abdominal injuries
- Bite marks
- Bruises on the head
- Unbelievable explanations for injuries
Behavioral Signs:
- Child is nervous of physical contact with adults
- Child cries when it is time to leave a protected environment
- Absence from school
- Double dressing
- Habit disorders
- Slowing down in intellectual and emotional development
Emotional Abuse
Physical Signs:
- Usually no physical signs are visable
Behavioral Signs:
- Low self-confidence
- Withdrawal
- Too eager to please
- Personal boundaries that are not well-defined
- Shows affection indiscriminately or does not show affection
much at all
- Hyper vigilance: Nervous and overly attentive to what is
going on around them ("always looking over their
shoulder")
Neglect
Physical Signs:
- Constant hunger and poor hygiene
- Unattended physical problems (e.g. health problems)
Behavioral Signs:
- Stealing food
- Tired and has no energy
- No delayed gratification (cannot wait for something - wants
everything at once)
- Falling asleep in the classroom
- Constant early arrival and leaving late from school
- Delinquency
- Saying there is no-one to care for him/her
Note: It is important to remember that
children who have been sexually abused MAY OR MAY NOT exhibit
signs and symptoms of the abuse.
A child may also show one or more of the
signs or symptoms listed here, but may not have been sexually
abused. If you are unsure, consult a professional.
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