HOW CAN I TELL IF MY CHILD HAS BEEN SEXUALLY ABUSED?

Signals of sexual abuse:

Children who may be too frightened to talk about sexual abuse may exhibit physical or behavioral signals:

• Reports sexual activity
  
• Exhibits sexual behaviors or knowledge inappropriate for the child's age, such as simulated sexual activity with dolls or younger children
  
• Recurrent nightmares or disturbed sleep patterns and fear of the dark
  
• Fear of strange men/women and/or strange situations
  
• Bedwetting
  
• Lack of appetite
  
• Behavioral changes such as withdrawal, aggression, failing in school, running away, destructive activities
  
• Torn, stained, or bloody clothing
  
• Vaginal or rectal bleeding, pain, itching, swollen genitals, or vaginal discharge
  
• Unprovoked crying spells
  
• Fear of playing alone
  
• Taking an excessive number of baths