The following is a list of some of the behaviors commonly displayed by children who are or have been

sexually abused. Although the presence of one or more of these indicators is not proof that a child is being

sexually abused, it should be enough to cause the concerned, alert professional to closely observe the child,

to try to uncover the source of the behaviors. If at any time, a professional suspects a child is being sexually

abused, she/he must report the suspicions to law enforcement or the Department of Social Services.♦ Depression

♦ Withdrawal or isolation from peers

♦ Chronic runaway

♦ Drug/alcohol abuse

♦ Increase in physical complaints—headaches, chronic illness

♦ Attention-seeking behaviors or inappropriate acting out

♦ Suicide attempts

♦ Physical abuse—self-inflicted or inflicted by others

♦ Truancy

♦ Drop in academic performance

♦ Poor self image, reflected in choice of clothing or overall appearance

♦ Limited or overly restricted participation in social activities

♦ Bisexual or homosexual experimentation

♦ Promiscuous or overly seductive behavior or prostitution

♦ Hysterical paralysis

Behavioral signs among young children

♦ Excessive masturbation

♦ Bedwetting (Enuresis) after completion of toilet training

♦ Fecal Soiling (Encopresis)

♦ Disturbed sleep patterns

♦ Severe nightmares, fears, or phobias

♦ Exaggerated fear of a particular person or place

♦ Regression in developmental mile stones or learning problems

♦ Explicit knowledge of sexual acts

♦ Excessive curiosity about sexual acts

♦ Precocious sex play

♦ Seductiveness

♦ Overly compulsive behavior

♦ Clinging/wining to a particular (non-offending)

Sexual Assault Response & Resource Center

Child Advocacy Center of Henderson County

www.thehealingplace.info