Warning Signs in Children and Adolescents of Possible Child Sexual Abuse

Any one sign doesn't mean that a child was sexually abused, but the presence of several suggests that you begin asking questions and consider seeking help. Keep in mind that some of these signs can emerge at other times of stress such as:

• During a divorce
• Death of a family member or pet
• Problems at school or with friends
• Other anxiety-inducing or traumatic events

Behavior you may see in a child or adolescent

• Has nightmares or other sleep problems without an explanation
• Seems distracted or distant at odd times
• Has a sudden change in eating habits
  • Refuses to eat
  • Loses or drastically increases appetite
  •  Has trouble swallowing.
• Sudden mood swings: rage, fear, insecurity or withdrawal
• Leaves “clues” that seem likely to provoke a discussion about sexual issues
• Writes, draws, plays or dreams of sexual or frightening images
• Develops new or unusual fear of certain people or places
• Refuses to talk about a secret shared with an adult or older child
• Talks about a new older friend
• Suddenly has money, toys or other gifts without reason
• Thinks of self or body as repulsive, dirty or bad
• Exhibits adult-like sexual behaviors, language and knowledge

Signs more typical of younger children

• An older child behaving like a younger child (such as bed-wetting or thumb sucking)
• Has new words for private body parts
• Resists removing clothes when appropriate times (bath, bed, toileting, diapering)
• Asks other children to behave sexually or play sexual games
• Mimics adult-like sexual behaviors with toys or stuffed animal
• Wetting and soiling accidents unrelated to toilet training
  

  Signs more typical in adolescents

• Self-injury (cutting, burning)
• Inadequate personal hygiene
• Drug and alcohol abuse
• Sexual promiscuity
• Running away from home
• Depression, anxiety
• Suicide attempts
• Fear of intimacy or closeness
• Compulsive eating or dieting

Physical warning signs

Physical signs of sexual abuse are rare.  If you see these signs, bring your child to a doctor.   Your doctor can help you understand what may be happening and test for sexually transmitted diseases.

• Pain, discoloration, bleeding or discharges in genitals, anus or mouth
• Persistent or recurring pain during urination and bowel movements
• Wetting and soiling accidents unrelated to toilet training

What You Can Do If You See Warning Signs

• Create a Safety Plan. Don’t wait for “proof” of child sexual abuse.
• Look for patterns of behavior that make children less safe. Keep track of behaviors that concern you. This Sample Journal Page can be a helpful tool.
• See our Let’s Talk Guidebook for tips on speaking up whenever you have a concern.
• If you have questions or would like resources or guidance for responding to a specific situation, visit our Online Help Center,http://GetHelp.StopItNow.org.

Remember, the most effective prevention takes place before there’s a child victim to heal or an offender to punish.

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Age-Appropriate Sexual Behavior

Behaviors to Watch for When Adults Are With Children

Signs That an Adult May Be At-Risk to Harm a Child

Signs That a Child or Teen May Be At-Risk to Harm Another Child

What is Considered Child Sexual Abuse?

Update to Email Posted "Not Again"

UPDATE: Moreno Valley, CA

"Police found the guy, he admitted it.
He is 17 years old, with no arrests and he said "wanted just to talk to a pretty girl"....hmmm, He made a illegal U-turn in the street, put the car in park right next to her and she saw him place his hand on the door knob. All while she was saying no. (? talk).
Anyways, PD can't arrest him on that. His parents are notified too. I have an address and license plate, so I will be keeping an eye on him.

Safety training came in handy, as my daughter was able to give enough information to help the Police. Moreno Valley Police was awesome, not one flaw. Even to the extent in bringing in a sketch artist. (They may still ask the other girls and see if this is the same guy doing this back in Dec...hmmm). At least that will put to ease the community here (to a point).

We learned from this and I do plan on finding out why the schools policy is NOT to activate the 911 system. That needs to change. Give an Officer the chance to stop the car. But with no call, how can MVPD respond? And if it turns out to be a call like this.. okay. 
Any young girl/boy that is so frightened that they are in fear of their safety and feel they must run, that needs to be looked into. And what does it teach our young girls when adults do not call the Police. Is that setting in her mind that this is not a big deal? Thank you to Officer Gordon, my daughter was not treated like a no big deal.

Let's do what we can this coming school week. Walking and driving around the schools with our eyes open. Remember we are the eyes and ears, let MVPD do the rest. 951-247-8700-5 MVPD non-emergency line.

FACTS:
368 registered sex offenders in Moreno Valley, all accounted for (registered). Thank you MVPD!
1 in 5 girls & 1 in 10 boys before the age of 18 will become a victim of a sexual crime.

Safety tips for all ages:
Play the license plate game. Pass a car and ask what that plate was? Get your child use to looking at the plates.

If approached, remind your child/youth to yell "NO" and run in opposite direction or towards people and Tell or 911.

If approached on the street, you can go under a parked car and grab onto the pipes. This is very hard to remove a person from. Remember Yell! Yell! When safe Tell Tell!

Never, Never get in a car. Even if faced with a weapon. RUN, YELL! TELL!

Teach all ages to use the phone and how to dial 911. When not sure if it is important, call the non-emergency and let the Officers decide.

Have a secret password. Teach then, that if said around them, that they need to get to a phone and call 911, even if they do not understand where is the danger. If younger the password is used in-case another person is picking up your child, the child can ask for the password and know that the person is safe.

Buddy system.. never to old for this.

We all have to be more aware. Not just our children, But our Community Children.
Thank you and Stay Safe!"
JulieAnn Stewart-Cleaveland