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: 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: Teaching children that if someone tries to touch your body and do things that make you feel funny, say NO to that person and tell me right away
Teaching children that respect does not mean blind obedience to adults and to authority. For example, don't tell children to 'always do everything the teacher or baby-sitter tells you to do'
Sexually abused children and their families need immediate professional evaluation and treatment. Child and adolescent psychiatrists can help abused children regain a sense of self-esteem, cope with feelings of guilt about the abuse, and begin the process of overcoming the trauma. Cognitive-behavioral therapies for children and parents can help them to deal with the consequences of sexual abuse. Such treatment can help reduce the immediate emotional aftermath of abuse on children and families, and reduce the severity of future problems.