Sexual Abuse
Occurs when an adult or older child exploits a child for sexual gratification. Sexual abuse includes fondling, sodomy, child prostitution, incest, and encouraging or forcing a child to participate in pornographic activities.
Physical Indicators
- difficulty in walking or sitting
- torn, stained or bloody underclothing
- pain, swelling or itching in genital area
- pain upon urination
- bruises, bleeding or laceration in external genitals, vaginal/anal areas
- vaginal/penile discharge
- venereal disease
- poor sphincter tone
- excessive masturbation
Behavioral Indicators
- unwilling to change for gym or participate in PE classes
- withdrawal, fantasy or infantile behavior
- bizarre, sophisticated or unusual sexual behavior or knowledge
- poor peer relationships
- delinquent or runaway
- reports sexual assaults by caretaker
- change in performance in school
- sleeping disorders/nightmares
- eating disorders
- aggressive acting out
- self-abusive behaviors:
- drug addictions
- alcohol addiction
- self-mutilation
- sexual acting-out on younger children
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