Warning Signs That A Child May Have Been Sexually Abused
There are a number of signals a parent or caregiver can look for, that may indicate a child has experienced sexual abuse.
No one particular sign is evidence of sexual abuse, but a number of indicators, when seen together mean a parent or caregiver should seek help.
These indicators include:
No one particular sign is evidence of sexual abuse, but a number of indicators, when seen together mean a parent or caregiver should seek help.
These indicators include:
- Acting out in an inappropriate sexual way with toys or objects
- Nightmares, sleeping problems
- Becoming withdrawn or very clingy
- Becoming unusually secretive
- Sudden unexplained personality changes, mood swings and seeming insecure
- Regressing to younger behaviours, e.g. bed-wetting
- Unaccountable fear of particular places or people
- Outbursts of anger
- Changes in eating habits
- New adult words for body parts and no obvious source
- Talk of a new, older friend and unexplained money or gifts
- Self-harm (cutting, burning or other harmful activities)
- Physical signs, such as, unexplained soreness or bruises around genitals or mouth, sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy
- Running away
- Not wanting to be alone with a particular child or young person.
The Police and Oranga Tamariki are the government agencies that handle allegations of abuse. Their contact phone numbers are listed in the front section of the telephone directory. For more information about reporting, click here.
To get more information or support you could call a Sexual Violence Support agency near you, click here.
To get more information or support you could call a Sexual Violence Support agency near you, click here.
