Intervention
Intervention - an adult activity
- for individuals
Kids do not self-report
Recognizing child abuse and trauma isn't always easy, but it's an adult responsibility. Kids do not self-report. Many times there are few obvious physical marks on a child, so the first step is to learn what to be aware of. The most typical things to watch for are changes in behavior, attitudes and performance. Adults need to learn how to talk to children in a non threatening way. Re-assure the youngster that they are not in trouble, and have done nothing wrong themselves. Obviously an immediate response is preferred when a child is in an emergency situation, and that's a call to 9-1-1. But many abuse cases can be reported through non-emergency "tip lines" like 1-800-4ACHILD
Indicators of sexual abuse
Primary source: www.childwelfare.gov
Children often show non-physical signs that they have been sexually abused. Below are some symptoms of sexual abuse and trauma in children.
Indicators of sexual abuse in young children include:
» Sleep disturbances
» Bed wetting and/or loss of fecal control
» Regressive behavior
» Self-destructive or risk-taking behavior
» Impulsivity, distractibility, difficulty concentrating
» Refusal to be left alone
» Fear of an individual, such as an alleged offender
» Fear of people of a specific type or gender
» Fire setting
» Cruelty to animals
» Problems relating to peers
» Sudden changes in behavior
» Difficulties in school
» Inappropriate interest (for the age) in things sexual
Indicators of sexual abuse in older children include:
» Eating disturbances (overeating, bulimia and anorexia)
» Running away
» Substance abuse
» Self-destructive behavior, suicide attempts, self-mutilation
» Incorrigibility
» Criminal activity
» Depression and social withdrawal
» Problems relating to peers
» Sudden changes in behavior
» Anger issues
» Difficulties in school
For a list of many more of the signs and symptoms of the sexually abused child, to learn why most children will more than likely not tell, and to find out what sexual predators do / say to silence children, please visit Susan Suafoa-Dinino's: www.speakingout-csa.com/signssymptoms.html
Learn the signs - from OneWithCourage.org
1. Unexplained injuries
Visible signs of physical abuse may include unexplained burns or bruises in the shape of objects. You may also hear unconvincing explanations of a child's injuries.
2. Changes in behavior
Abuse can lead to many changes in a child's behavior. Abused children often appear scared, anxious, depressed, withdrawn or more aggressive.
3. Returning to earlier behaviors
Abused children may display behaviors shown at earlier ages, such as thumb-sucking, bed-wetting, fear of the dark or strangers. For some children, even loss of acquired language or memory problems may be an issue.
4. Fear of going home
Abused children may express apprehension or anxiety about leaving school or about going places with the person who is abusing them.
5. Changes in eating
The stress, fear and anxiety caused by abuse can lead to changes in a child's eating behaviors, which may result in weight gain or loss.
6. Changes in sleeping
Abused children may have frequent nightmares or have difficulty falling asleep, and as a result may appear tired or fatigued.
7. Changes in school performance and attendance
Abused children may have difficulty concentrating in school or have excessive absences, sometimes due to adults trying to hide the child's injuries from authorities.
8. Lack of personal care or hygiene
Abused and neglected children may appear uncared for. They may present as consistently dirty and have severe body odor, or they may lack sufficient clothing for the weather.
9. Risk-taking behaviors
Young people who are being abused may engage in high-risk activities such as using drugs or alcohol or carrying a weapon.
10. Inappropriate sexual behaviors
Children who have been sexually abused may exhibit overly sexualized behavior or use explicit sexual language.
See also: What are some warning signs of sexual abuse?
(from PCAR, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape)
men, The Impact of Child Sexual Abuse
- for individuals
Kids do not self-report
Recognizing child abuse and trauma isn't always easy, but it's an adult responsibility. Kids do not self-report. Many times there are few obvious physical marks on a child, so the first step is to learn what to be aware of. The most typical things to watch for are changes in behavior, attitudes and performance. Adults need to learn how to talk to children in a non threatening way. Re-assure the youngster that they are not in trouble, and have done nothing wrong themselves. Obviously an immediate response is preferred when a child is in an emergency situation, and that's a call to 9-1-1. But many abuse cases can be reported through non-emergency "tip lines" like 1-800-4ACHILD
Indicators of sexual abuse
Primary source: www.childwelfare.gov
Children often show non-physical signs that they have been sexually abused. Below are some symptoms of sexual abuse and trauma in children.
Indicators of sexual abuse in young children include:
» Sleep disturbances
» Bed wetting and/or loss of fecal control
» Regressive behavior
» Self-destructive or risk-taking behavior
» Impulsivity, distractibility, difficulty concentrating
» Refusal to be left alone
» Fear of an individual, such as an alleged offender
» Fear of people of a specific type or gender
» Fire setting
» Cruelty to animals
» Problems relating to peers
» Sudden changes in behavior
» Difficulties in school
» Inappropriate interest (for the age) in things sexual
Indicators of sexual abuse in older children include:
» Eating disturbances (overeating, bulimia and anorexia)
» Running away
» Substance abuse
» Self-destructive behavior, suicide attempts, self-mutilation
» Incorrigibility
» Criminal activity
» Depression and social withdrawal
» Problems relating to peers
» Sudden changes in behavior
» Anger issues
» Difficulties in school
For a list of many more of the signs and symptoms of the sexually abused child, to learn why most children will more than likely not tell, and to find out what sexual predators do / say to silence children, please visit Susan Suafoa-Dinino's: www.speakingout-csa.com/signssymptoms.html
Learn the signs - from OneWithCourage.org
1. Unexplained injuries
Visible signs of physical abuse may include unexplained burns or bruises in the shape of objects. You may also hear unconvincing explanations of a child's injuries.
2. Changes in behavior
Abuse can lead to many changes in a child's behavior. Abused children often appear scared, anxious, depressed, withdrawn or more aggressive.
3. Returning to earlier behaviors
Abused children may display behaviors shown at earlier ages, such as thumb-sucking, bed-wetting, fear of the dark or strangers. For some children, even loss of acquired language or memory problems may be an issue.
4. Fear of going home
Abused children may express apprehension or anxiety about leaving school or about going places with the person who is abusing them.
5. Changes in eating
The stress, fear and anxiety caused by abuse can lead to changes in a child's eating behaviors, which may result in weight gain or loss.
6. Changes in sleeping
Abused children may have frequent nightmares or have difficulty falling asleep, and as a result may appear tired or fatigued.
7. Changes in school performance and attendance
Abused children may have difficulty concentrating in school or have excessive absences, sometimes due to adults trying to hide the child's injuries from authorities.
8. Lack of personal care or hygiene
Abused and neglected children may appear uncared for. They may present as consistently dirty and have severe body odor, or they may lack sufficient clothing for the weather.
9. Risk-taking behaviors
Young people who are being abused may engage in high-risk activities such as using drugs or alcohol or carrying a weapon.
10. Inappropriate sexual behaviors
Children who have been sexually abused may exhibit overly sexualized behavior or use explicit sexual language.
See also: What are some warning signs of sexual abuse?
(from PCAR, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape)
men, The Impact of Child Sexual Abuse