Child Sexual Abuse Definition

Sexual exploitation of a child, including rape, incest, fondling, exhibitionism, or pornography

Symptoms, or indications of abuse, vary greatly from child-to-child (or on an individual basis -- or in each individual case). Possibly only one, or a few, or none of these symptoms (or indicators) will be readily apparent in a child who IS being abused.

Absence of any or all of these indicators does NOT mean that a child is NOT being abused. If you suspect there is a problem, do NOT try to diagnose or determine the extent of the problem on your own; please contact a professional immediately.

Physical Indicators of Sexual Abuse of a Child

• torn, stained or bloody underclothing
• pain swelling or itching in genital area
• difficulty walking or sitting
• bruises or bleeding in genital area
• venereal disease
• frequent urinary or yeast infections

Behavioral Indicators of Child Sexual Abuse

• withdrawal, chronic depression
• excessive seductiveness
• role reversal, overly concerned for siblings
• poor self esteem, self devaluation, lack of confidence
• peer problems, lack of involvement
• massive weight change
• suicide attempts (especially adolescent)
• hysteria, lack of emotional control
• inappropriate sex play or premature understanding of sex
• threatened by physical contact, closeness
• unwilling to change clothes in front of anyone
• exhibits fantasy or baby-like behavior
• frequent nightmares
• high level of unexplained anxiety

Emotional Abuse Definition

A pattern of behavior that attacks a child's emotional development and sense of self worth. i.e. name-calling, put-downs, terrorization, isolation, humiliation, rejection, corruption, ignoring

Symptoms, or indications of abuse, vary greatly from child to child (or on an individual basis -- or in each individual case). Possibly only one, or a few, or none of these symptoms (or indicators) will be readily apparent in a child who IS being abused.

Absence of any or all of these indicators does NOT mean that a child is NOT being abused. If you suspect there is a problem, do NOT try to diagnose or determine the extent of the problem on your own; please contact a professional immediately.

Physical Indicators of Emotional Abuse of a Child

• speech disorders
• delayed physical development
• substance abuse
• ulcer, asthma, severe allergies

Behavioral Indicators of Child Emotional Abuse

• habit disorders (sucking, rocking, biting)
• antisocial, destructive
• neurotic traits (sleep disorders, inhibition of play)
• passive and aggressive - behavioral extremes
• delinquent behavior (especially adolescent)
• developmentally delayed