Title: Understanding Types of Child Abuse and What You Can Do to Stop It
Headings: Recognizing Types of Child Abuse and How to Respond
Recognizing Types of Child Abuse and How to Respond
Neglect
Physical abuse
Emotional and psychological abuse
Sexual abuse
What to do if you suspect child abuse
Risk factors that lead to child abuse
How to help children who have been abused
What happens to children who have been abused?

Content: Examples of sexual abuse include: rape
penetration, including oral sex
non-penetrative sexual contact, such as touching, kissing, rubbing, or masturbating
telling dirty or inappropriate jokes or stories
forcing or inviting a child to undress
watching others perform sexual acts with children or asking a child to watch sexual acts
flashing or exposing yourself to a child
encouraging sexually inappropriate behavior
grooming a child for future sexual contact
Children who are sexually abused may show the following signs: displaying sexual knowledge beyond their years
talking about being touched by another person
withdrawing from family or friends
running away
shying away from a specific person
protesting going to a specific place
having nightmares
wetting the bed after potty training
having a sexually transmitted infection
How to tell if a child may have been abused
Signs of child abuse can be hard to detect. Bruises, for example, can be a natural byproduct of playing or sports. Still, many children who have been abused show some shared symptoms. These include: being withdrawn, passive, or compliant in an unusual manner
protesting going to a specific place when other places don’t bother them
resisting being around a specific individual
showing sudden and dramatic changes in behavior
Of course, children have emotional swings like many adults. It’s important to closely watch the child for other signs or symptoms of abuse. If you suspect abuse or neglect, you can approach the child and offer them unconditional support and calm reassurance. This may help them feel safe enough to speak about what’s happening.