Title: Sexual Abuse
Headings: 
Sexual Abuse
Sexually abused children may also develop the following:
Parents can prevent or lessen the chance of sexual abuse by:
If you need immediate assistance, please dial 911.

Content: The child may become withdrawn and mistrustful of adults, depressed, intentionally harm themselves, and/or become suicidal. Some children who have been sexually abused display sexualized behaviors which are not appropriate for their age and may try to pressure siblings or peers into sexual behavior. Some sexually abused children become child abusers themselves as adults, and others may turn to prostitution as teens. Often there are no obvious external signs of child sexual abuse. Some signs can only be detected on physical exam by a physician. Sexually abused children may also develop the following: Unusual interest in or avoidance of all things of a sexual nature
Sleep problems or nightmares
Depression or withdrawal from friends or family
Seductiveness
Statements that their bodies are dirty or damaged, or fear that there is something wrong with them in the genital area
Refusal to go to school
Poor focus and concentration at school
Delinquency/conduct problems
Secretiveness
Aspects of sexual molestation in drawings, games, fantasies
Unusual aggressiveness, or
Self harm and/or suicidal behavior
Child sexual abusers often threaten to harm children if they tell anyone about it, so it is difficult for an abused child to speak freely about it. If a child tells a teacher, peer, parent orcaregiver that he or she has been abused, these individuals should try to remain calm and reassure the child that what happened was not his or her fault. Parents should seek a medical examination and psychiatric consultation. Parents can prevent or lessen the chance of sexual abuse by: