Know the Signs:
Sexual Abuse
Mandatory Reporter Training
Definition
Sexual abuse includes acts by any adult which include touching a childs genitals, penetration by objects, oral sex, incest, sexual assault, indecent exposure, and exploitation through prostitution or the production of pornographic materials. (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2015)
Sexual abuse is defined by the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act as “the employment, use, persuasion, inducement, enticement, or coercion of any child to engage in, or assist any other person to engage in, any sexually explicit conduct or simulation of such conduct for the purpose of producing a visual depiction of such conduct; or the rape, and in cases of caretaker or intra-familial relationships, statutory rape, molestation, prostitution, or other form of sexual exploitation of children, or incest with children.” All sexual activity between an adult and a child is sexual abuse, even if it doesn't involve penetration, force, pain, or touching.
Sexual touching between children can also be sexual abuse if there is a significant age difference between the children or the children are very different developmentally or in size.
Report Child Abuse
Anyone can report child abuse, at any time, by visiting our Report Child Abuse page.
Examples
Examples of Touching Sexual Acts
Touching a child's genitals, breasts, or buttocks
Making a child touch another person's sexual organs
Any penetration of a child's vagina, anus, or mouth by a penis or any other object for no valid medical reason
Examples of Non-Touching Sexual Acts
Indecent exposure or being naked in public
Showing children pornographic material
Masturbating or engaging in other sexual behavior in the presence of a child
Making sexual comments to a child
Harassing, encouraging, pressuring, or bargaining with a child to perform sexually
Achieving sexual arousal by watching a child who is undressing or unclothed
Believe What the Child Is Saying to You from Alaska DOH & DFCS on Vimeo.
Believe What the Child Is Saying to You
In this video a medical doctor and child advocacy center medical director who specializes in child abuse investigations emphasizes what is important to do and not to do when a considering making a report.
Signs Young Children 0-3 Years of Age May Exhibit
Physical Signs
Any injuries to the genital or anal area
Painful urination or bowel movement
Sore throats or trouble swallowing
Difficulty walking or sitting
Frequent urinary or yeast infections
Feeding and bowel problems
Behavioral Signs
Excessive crying
Fear
Failure to thrive
Sleeping problems including nightmares
Exhibits violent behavior towards siblings and other children (biting, hitting, kicking)
Regressive behavior such as thumb-sucking or bedwetting
Signs Young Children 2-9 Years of Age May Exhibit
Physical Signs
Any injuries to the genital or anal area
Painful urination or bowel movement
Sore throats or trouble swallowing
Difficulty walking or sitting
Feeding and bowel problems
Urinary and/or bowel accidents
Frequent urinary or yeast infections
Chronic or recurrent abdominal or pelvic pain
Behavioral Signs
Exhibits adult-like sexual knowledge, behavior or language
Engages in inappropriate sex play (for example act out sexual behavior on stuffed animals or other toys
Feeling shameful or guilty
Excessive or public masturbation
Reenacts sexual abuse or tries to initiate behavior with siblings or other children
Shows great worry for siblings or assumes caretaking role
Exhibits violent behavior towards siblings and other children (biting, hitting, kicking)
Trouble making friends
Writes, draws, plays, or dreams of sexual or frightening images
Regressive behavior such as thumb-sucking or bedwetting
Feels threatened by physical contact
Has nightmares or trouble sleeping
Develops phobias
Cruelty to animals
Signs Young Children 9 Years and Older May Exhibit
Physical Signs
Painful urination or bowel movement
Sore throats or trouble swallowing
Difficulty walking or sitting
Feeding and bowel problems
Self-harm
Gain or lose a large amount of weight
Frequent urinary or yeast infections
Become pregnant or contract a venereal disease(s)
Behavioral Signs
Depression or withdrawal
Suicidal thoughts or gestures
Nightmares or trouble sleeping
Sudden changes in school performance (plummeting grades, skipping school)
Drug and alcohol abuse
Promiscuous activities
Run away from home
Secretive or isolated
Trouble making friends
Exhibits adult-like sexual knowledge, behavior or language
Feeling shameful or guilty
Excessive or public masturbation
Reenacts sexual abuse or tries to initiate behavior with siblings or other children
Shows great worry for siblings or assumes caretaking role
Extreme mood swings (crying, violence, fear, withdrawal, depression)
Writes, draws, plays, or dreams of sexual or frightening images
Regressive or clingy behavior
Feels threatened by physical contact
Develops phobias
Fear of situations outside of their control
Engage in fire-starting activities
Cruelty to animals
Complaints of physical ailments such as headaches, stomachaches or pain
Signs Sexual Predators May Exhibit
93% of victims under the age of 18 know the abuser. An adult who is sexually abusing a child may show the following signs:
Is very protective of child or limits the child's contact with others, especially those of the opposite sex
Tend to keep to themselves
Is jealous or controlling with family members
Refuses to allow child to socialize with other children or speak to another adult outside of the home
Secretive
Exhibits hypersexual activity
Exposes self to others
Hesitates or brushes away need to seek medical help for child injuries
Low self-esteem, depression, anxiety and personality problems
Often offers to babysit or take care of child(ren)on overnight trips
Out of the ordinary interest in physical play with child (wresting, tickling, kissing, hugging)
Selects a “special child”
Has secret interactions with teens or children (e.g., games; sharing drugs, alcohol, or sexual material)
Frequently walks in on child/teen in the bathroom
Allows child/teen to get away with inappropriate behavior.
Continue Training