Sexual Abuse in Children

Suspect sexual abuse when children:

• Tell you that they are being sexually abused
• Have trouble sitting or standing
• Won’t change for gym class
• Have sexually transmitted diseases or become pregnant
• Know about and talk about sex
• Run away
• Have adults in their lives that keep them from having contact with other adults
• Keep to themselves and seem to have secrets

Sexually abused children might have:

• Bowel control problems, such as soiling themselves (encopresis)
• Eating disorders (anorexia nervosa)
• Genital or rectal problems, such as pain when going to the bathroom, or vaginal itch or discharge
• Headaches
• Sleep problems
• Stomach aches

Sexually abused children may also:

• Use alcohol or drugs
• Engage in high-risk sexual behaviors
• Get poor grades in school
• Have a lot of fears
• Not want to do their normal activities

If you think a child has been sexually abused, get the child examined by a health care provider.

• Find a provider that knows about sexual abuse. Most pediatricians, family medicine providers, and emergency room providers have been trained to examine people that have been sexually abused.
• Have the child examined right away or within 2 to 3 days of discovering the abuse. The signs of sexual abuse don’t last long, and the provider may not be able to tell if you wait too long.

During the exam, the provider will:

• Look for signs of physical and sexual abuse. The provider will check the child’s mouth, throat, anus, and penis or vagina.
• Do blood or other tests to check for sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.
• Take photographs of any injuries, if needed.

Get the child any needed medical care. Also get mental health counseling for the child. More information and support for children and their families can be found at:

• Childhelp — www.childhelp.org
• Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network — www.rainn.org

Know that providers, teachers, and child care workers are required by law to report sexual abuse. If abuse is suspected, child protection agencies and the police will investigate. The child must be protected from abuse. The child may be placed with a non-abusing parent, another relative, or in a foster home.

Sexual abuse – children.