8 common signs of child sexual abuse

(Baonghean.vn) - Normally, it is very difficult to detect child sexual abuse if the child does not tell them. Parents need to pay attention to early signs of child sexual abuse to have timely treatment measures.

Children are quiet and do not like to play (Illustration photo).

When sexually abused, children rarely speak out because they are often shy, endure humiliation, depression, sadness, anger, lack of confidence, skepticism, and destructive behavior... This leads to immeasurable consequences for the psychology, health, and behavior of children later on. Many cases of victims of sexual abuse as children grow up to become prostitutes, criminals, run away from home, and abuse drugs...

Parents need to pay attention to early signs of sexual abuse in children to take timely measures to avoid long-term damage.

Here are some signs that a child may have been or is being sexually abused:

1. Sleep disorders:

Children who are sexually abused often have nightmares during their sleep at night. They may wake up in the middle of the night in a state of panic, screaming, crying, etc.

2.Physical disorders:

Many children often have unusual abdominal pain, frequent nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bedwetting, pain or itching of the genitals or anus, headaches, dizziness...

3. Anxiety or phobia:

This is a common psychology when children are sexually abused. Children show fear and have some actions such as refusing to take off their clothes, refusing to go to the toilet at school, tending to be overly clean in cleaning, being afraid of men, tending to lock themselves in their rooms, being afraid of being touched, being suspicious of others, etc.

4. Symptoms of depression:

Symptoms include sadness, lack of self-confidence, withdrawal, low self-esteem, unexplained crying, suicidal thoughts or other self-destructive behavior (self-harm).

Children who are sexually abused often suffer from psychological trauma leading to depression and melancholy. (Illustration photo)

5. Generalized behavioral disorders:

When children are abused, they often argue with adults, argue with friends, and have abnormal hyperactive behavior. Pseudo-adult behavior is also considered a special sign of sexual abuse (children take on adult roles such as mother or wife). Children sometimes show childish behavior.

6.Learning difficulties:

Symptoms of school failure, decreased academic performance, loss of concentration, loss of motivation to study, loss of fun and creative activities, opposition to teachers, isolation in class...

7. Eating disorders:

When a child is eating normally and suddenly starts vomiting, losing appetite or eating excessively and uncontrollably, this is also a sign that needs attention.

8. Sexual expression:

Excessive interest in sexual matters, simulated sexual play through dolls or classmates; exhibitionism, especially of the genitals; unusual drawings, seductive attitudes of the child towards adults, severe sexual curiosity, excessive fondling of certain areas of the body or, conversely, avoidance of fondling by familiar adults.

From the above signs, parents can recognize or have a basis to find out and confirm whether the child is being sexually abused or not to have a way to handle it, avoiding future consequences for the child. At that time, the child needs to be cared for and protected more.

PV