No one likes to think that child molestation or sexual abuse could happen to someone they know, or worse, in their own family. According to RAINN, (The Rape, Abuse, and Incest Information Network), 15% of sexual assault and rape victims are under age 12, and another 29% are between the ages of 12 and 17. That means that many children are being hurt, and it is up to adults to know what to look for so they can be protected.
What is Child Sexual Abuse?
According to RAINN, child sexual abuse is "sexual contact by force, trickery, or bribery, where there is an imbalance in age, size, power, or knowledge." Some of the behaviors include the following:
- fondling
- obscene phone calls
- exhibitionism
- masturbation
- intercourse
- oral or anal sex
- prostitution
- pornography
- any other sexual conduct that is harmful to a child's mental, emotional, or physical welfare. (RAINN)
Child sexual abuse is usually perpetrated by someone who is known to the child, such as a family member, neighbor, or another trusted adult. Many children are sworn to secrecy, made to feel like they will "get in trouble" if they tell, or worse, told that something bad will happen to someone they care about if they tell. Sexual abuse has occurred regardless of whether the contact consists on one act or a number of acts over a long period time.
Signs of Molestation or Child Sexual Abuse
There are many red flags that may indicate sexual abuse has taken place. Adults need to be on the lookout for these signs because often, children will not tell on their own. Any suspicions should be immediately shared with the child's parents, the child's doctor, and if there is a reasonable belief that abuse has taken place, the local child welfare agency. If a parent is suspected, the suspicion should be shared with the local child welfare agency immediately so they can make sure the child is safe.
Physical symptoms of sexual abuse include the following:
- difficulty walking or sitting
- bloody or torn underwear, bruising, bleeding, or swelling of the genitals
- pain, itching, or burning in the genitals
- frequent urinary or yeast infections
- sexually transmitted diseases in children or preteens
Behavioral symptoms include the following:
- inappropriate sexual knowledge/behavior
- bed-wetting
- nightmares
- weight changes/changes in appetite
- self-mutilation/suicide attempts
- afraid of physical contact
- overly protective of brothers and sisters
Psychological symptoms include the following:
- withdrawal/depression/anxiety
- sleeping or eating problems
- self-mutilation
- fears and phobias
- psychosomatic symptoms
- school difficulties
- poor hygiene/excessive bathing
- guilt
- regressive behaviors (RAINN)
It is imperative that any disclosure of child sexual abuse be taken seriously. It is very difficult for kids who are being abused to muster the courage to tell someone. Therefore, it is imperative that any disclosure of child sexual abuse be taken seriously, no matter how hard their story may be to believe. It's not uncommon for family members to deny or minimize such claims, especially if the abuser is reported to be another family member.
However, children need an adult to trust them and believe in them, and help provide the support and understanding needed to being their road to recovery. Children will likely need medical care as well as counseling to deal with the emotional trauma of the abuse.
Susan Carney - I have been working as a middle school counselor with 6th and 7th grade students for the past thirteen years. I received a BA in ...
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