Signs and Symptoms of CSA

Signs and Symptoms of Sexual Abuse:

Although signs and symptoms have not been established or recognized in most of our family courts, the following information includes the most prominent indicators that your child may be enduring sexual abuse. While each of these signs can occur for myriad other reasons, five or more of these behaviors raises the sexual abuse red flag. Beware of over-zealous identification; do not question your child yourself. If you suspect your child has been sexually abused, seek a reputable Forensic Psychologist to conduct an interview of the child. They are trained specifically in proper methodologies that should be observed when interviewing youth. If there are no Forensic Psychologists within your area, attempt to locate a qualified counselor and established attorney unfaltering in their dedication to a child's welfare. Let the professionals who are mandated reporters make the "Suspected Child Abuse Report."

UNEXPLAINED PERSONALITY AND BEHAVIORAL CHANGES:

Younger Children

If your child has been a happy, well adjusted child and suddenly becomes:

Introverted
Displays regressive behavior such as thumb sucking, wetting and soiling after being potty trained
Cries incessantly
Experiences night terrors
Throws temper tantrums for no apparent reason
Is afraid of, refuses to use the bathroom, or is withholding bowel movements
Shows fear in sleeping in child's own bedroom
Is suddenly very clingy or does not want to be touched at all, not even a hug
Acts out aggressively with other children
Abuses little animals
Acts out sexually with other children, asks adults to touch their private parts, or tries to touch private parts of adults

Acts afraid of an adult friend or family member
Has age inappropriate knowledge of sexual acts
Spreads feces on walls, bed, etc.
Acts lethargic
Acts secretive with unexplained acquisition of toys or other gifts
Tells you he/she has a secret, but cannot tell it
Masturbates excessively
Acts out sexually with toys
Tries to insert foreign objects into the vagina or anus
Is afraid to go to bed or wants to sleep excessively
The child discloses to you that an adult has touched their private parts and/or has made the child touch the adult's private parts

Older Children: 12 and Older

While many of the signs of sexual abuse of older children overlap the foregoing, children twelve and older may display additional signs of child sexual abuse.

Often act very seductive around adults
Age inappropriate knowledge of sexual acts, including vibrators and other sexual paraphernalia
Masturbates excessively
Engages in promiscuity, alcohol and drug abuse
Loses interest in school and other activities, or grades drop dramatically
Sleeps excessively
Experiences night terrors and flash-backs
Acts aggressively and sometimes violently toward parents, other adults or classmates
Acquisition of money and gifts that cannot be explained

Abuses little animals
Acts very secretive; pathological lying, stealing
Wears seductive clothing or wants to wear many layers of clothing
Bathing excessively, or washes hands excessively
Displays of exhibitionism, or nudity
Seems sad or depressed, or cries for no apparent reason
Discloses the abuse to a best friend and demand that person keeps the secret