What Signs of Abuse Should I Look for in My Children?

If after reading this material you think that your child might have been sexually abused or is presently being abused please call our hotline anytime at 706.353.1912

Behavioral Warning Signs A Child May Have Been Abused (Information from Stop It Now)

Some of these behavioral signs can show up at other stressful times in a child's life such as divorce, the death of a family member, friend or pet, or when there are problems in school, as well as when abuse is involved. Any one sign doesn't mean the child was abused, but several of them mean that you should begin asking questions. Do you notice some of the following behaviors in children you know well?

· Nightmares, trouble sleeping, fear of the dark, or other sleeping problems.

· Extreme fear of "monsters".

· Spacing out at odd times.

· Loss of appetite, or trouble eating or swallowing.

· Sudden mood swings: rage, fear, anger, or withdrawal.

· Fear of certain people or places (e.g., a child may not want to be left alone with a baby-sitter, a friend, a relative, or some other child or adult; or a child who is usually talkative and cheery may become quiet and distant when around a certain person).

· Stomach illness all of the time with no identifiable reason.

· An older child behaving like a younger child, such as bed-wetting or thumb sucking.

· Sexual activities with toys or other children, such as simulating sex with dolls or asking other children/siblings to behave sexually.

· New words for private body parts.

· Refusing to talk about a "secret" he/she has with an adult or older child.

· Talking about a new older friend.

· Suddenly having money.

· Cutting or burning herself or himself as an adolescent.

Physical Warning Signs A Child May
Have Been Abused

Does a child close to you have:

· Unexplained bruises, redness, or bleeding of the child's genitals, anus, or mouth?

· Pain at the genitals, anus, or mouth?

· Genital sores or milky fluids in the genital area?

What To Watch Out For When Adults
Are With Children

Have you ever seen someone playing with a child and felt uncomfortable with it? Maybe you thought, "I'm just over-reacting," or, "He/She doesn't really mean that." Don't ignore the behavior; learn how to ask more questions about what you have seen. The checklist below offers some warning signs.

Do you know an adult or older child who:

· Refuses to let a child set any of his or her own limits?

· Insists on hugging, touching, kissing, tickling, wrestling with or holding a child even when the child does not want this affection?

· Is overly interested in the sexuality of a particular child or teen (e.g., talks repeatedly about the child's developing body or interferes with normal teen dating)?

· Spends most of his/her spare time with children and has little interest in spending time with someone their own age?

· Regularly offers to babysit many different children for free or takes children on overnight outings alone?

· Buys children expensive gifts or gives them money for no apparent reason?

· Frequently walks in on children/teens in the bathroom?

Business Phone: 706.546.1133 Hotline: 706.353.1912 Toll Free: 1-877-363-1912 Fax: 706.353.9455