Sexual Abuse

Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Symptoms of a child who has been sexually abused may include:

  • Overly compliant behavior
  • Unusual sexual acting out and/or preoccupation with sex at an early age
  • Detailed and age-inappropriate understanding of sexual behavior, especially intimate knowledge of adult sexual behavior
  • Poor peer relationships or excessive parental restrictions limiting peer contact
  • Lack of trust, particularly with significant others.
  • Non-participation in school and social activities
  • Inability to concentrate in school
  • Sudden drop in school performance
  • Extraordinary fears of males (in cases of male perpetrator and female victim)
  • Seductive behavior with males (in cases of male perpetrator and female victim)
  • Running away from home
  • Signs of infection related to sexual contact
  • Sleep disturbances
  • Regressive behavior
  • Withdrawal
  • Clinical depression
  • Suicidal feelings

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