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Writer's pictureAmber Lynn Reynolds

Sex Without Fear: Signs of Childhood Sexual Abuse


Sex Without Fear Amber Lynn Reynolds Signs of Childhood Sexual Abuse


Quick Stats:

-90% of children do not tell anyone they are being abused.

-93% Child victims of sexual assault know their victim 34% are family members. Only 9% are strangers

-34% of child victims are under the age of 12. Quick Signs: (not all of these signs alone are indicators of abuse, but they are to be considered.) -If they tell you someone has touched them-Believe them. -They act out sexual behaviors. -They touch other children inappropriately -They touch themselves, maybe more excessively, or more openly than what would be considered normal self-exploration. -An obsession or focus on sexual topics

-Often discusses or brings up sex. Especially if it seems they are trying to provoke a certain discussion with you -If their knowledge of sex is different or exceeds what you have explained to them yourself. -withdrawn -Depression

-Refusing affection, especially from certain people.

-Depression

-Anxiety

-Separation anxiety

-Bedwetting

-Urinary tract infections

-Bathroom problems or bathroom anxiety in general

-Self-harm (self-harm can look very different for every child!) -Low self-confidence

-A lot of self-criticism, self-pity, self-loathing

-Blood in underwear, not menses...

-Complains of pain or discomfort in genital area

-Hurts to sit

-Hurts to walk

-Lethargic

-Nightmares

-Injuries to genitals such as bruising, cuts, swelling.

-Genital infections, itching, burning, discoloration, or abnormal discharge.

-Bath refusal, or over-showering

-Over-concerned for a sibling

-Behavior regression

-Academic regression

-Obsession with a particular person.

-Obsession with love, marriage, and the dynamic of such

-Concerning drawings or writings

-Unexplained gifts or money appearing in their lives

-Has a secret

-Disassociated

-Eating changes

-Has trouble swallowing

-Mood swings

-Recalls dreams of sex

-New or dramatic fear or places or people

-Has a new older friend

-Bad body self image

-Oversexualized body image

-Has new words for body parts (Please always teach proper terms!)

-Refuses to remove clothes when needed (bath, pajama switch, diaper change, etc.,...) -Tells other children to behave sexually

-Interest/struggle with alcohol and drugs

-Sneaking out/running away

-Suicidal

-Uses toys, stuffed animals, or objects in a sexual way

-Eating disorders

-Guilt

-Shame

-Violent

-Hatred

-Feeling different/doesn’t fit in

-Feeling like they can’t relate to their peers emotionally, and must seek adults for stimulation.

-Sadness

-Confusion

-Spiritual and religious confliction

-Self-identity confliction

-Sexually transmitted infections and diseases


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