Child sexual abuse is rarely committed in public and abusers are seldom caught in the act. Unlike a child wearing visible bruises from a physical abuse, the outward signs of sexual abuse are often vague, elusive, and difficult to spot.

Therefore, it takes informed adults who are aware of the behaviors and signs to look for in a suspicious situation to prevent and interrupt instances of abuse. Although detection of child sexual abuse can be difficult, there are often visible signs.

Please understand, children who have NOT been sexually abused may also display any of these behaviors at one time or another. But when children exhibit these signs regularly or you see a combination it is important that you seek professional guidance and consider the possibility of sexual abuse.

Increased Fear
• Nightmares or other sleeping disturbances¹
• Excessive crying, especially in young children¹
• Fear of particular people or places¹

Behavioral Changes
• Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities²
• Bed wetting, specifically in older children²
• Suicidal gestures¹
• Experiences a sudden change in appetite²
• Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior²

Emotional Changes
• Depression or withdrawal¹
• Anxiety or nervousness³
• Emotional detachment³
• Feelings of shame or guilt¹

Physical Warning Signs
• Has difficulty walking or sitting²
• Signs of trauma to genitals or mouth⁴
• Bleeding at genitals or anus⁴
• Pain or discomfort at the genitals, anus or mouth⁴

¹ American Humane Association.
“What Should You Look for If You Suspect Sexual Abuse?” fact sheet. (2007). 17 April 2008
http://www.americanhumane.org/children/stop-child-abuse/fact-sheets/child-sexual-abuse.html

² Child Welfare Information Gateway, Children’s Bureau.
“Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Symptoms.“ (April 2006).
17 April 2008
http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/signs.pdf

³ Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Sexual Violence Prevention, Scientific Information: Consequences.” (6 May 2008). 18 April 2008
http://www.cdc.gov/ncipc/dvp/SV/svp-consequences.htm

⁴ Dominguez, R.Z., Nelke, C.F. and Perry, B.D.
Child Sexual Abuse. Encyclopedia of Crime and Punishment. Vol. 1. Ed. David Levinson. Sage
Publications: Thousand Oaks, 2002. 18 April 2008
http://books.google.com/books?id=HzUOAQAAMAAJ&q=Child+Sexual+Abuse.+Encyclopedia+of+Crime+and+Punishment.+Vol.+1.&dq=Child+Sexual+Abuse.+Encyclopedia+of+Crime+and+Punishment.+Vol.+1.&hl=en&ei=JYDKTvCDBajX0QHokfn-Dw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CFQQ6AEwBg