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Info
just for ... Parents
Because most
children won't tell you that they have been sexually abused it is
important for parents and other adults to recognize the behaviors
that may indicate that a child has been sexually assaulted.
Look
For These Signs
- Noticeable
change in the child's feelings, awareness of and behavior towards
sexuality.
- Sudden
interest in or knowledge about sex, and/or strong reactions
to physical contact - withdrawal or excessive sexual play. The
child may simulate sexual behavior or may actually engage in
sexual behavior with other children.
- Regressing
to early childhood behaviors. These behaviors may include abrupt
and significant negative changes in sleeping habits, eating,
bowel and bladder control.
- Negative
changes in school performance: disciplinary problems, avoiding
assignments, and /or change in social relationships/behaviors:
withdrawal or aggression.
- Signs
of emotional stress: worry, fear, (over) sensitivity, nervousness,
irritability, anger and depression. There may also be physical
or health problems brought on by stress.
What
to do
- Remain
calm and unemotional. If you get upset when the child tells
you what happened, it might re-traumatize the child.
- Be sure
to tell the child that he or she did the right thing by telling
you what happened.
- Tell
the child that you are sorry about what happened to her or
him.
- Tell
the child that this unfortunately has happened to many other
children.
- Reassure
the child that having kept this a secret does not make her
or him a bad person.
- Guilt
about the abuse is a common feeling for children. Therefore,
it is important to reassure them over and over that it was
not their fault. Explain that the person who did this to them
has a problem and needs to get help. That person's behavior
was against the law.
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