Signs of Child Sexual Abuse

It can be difficult for a child to verbally report child sexual abuse, especially for younger children. However, there are several signs and symptoms of child sexual abuse that may indicate that a child is suffering harm. These signals can appear in virtually every part of a child’s life and do not always include a visible physical injury.

Signs and symptoms of child sexual abuse are commonly visible in children in terms of behavioral, emotional, and physical changes. Potential long-term effects of child sexual abuse are also important to look out for in children who may have experienced abuse.

Physical Signs

• Difficulty walking or sitting

• Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing

• Pain, itching, bruises, or bleeding in the genital area

• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

• Pregnancy, especially in young adolescents

• Frequent urinary tract infections (UTIs)

Behavioral Signs

• Sudden changes in behavior or performance at school

• Withdrawal, depression, or excessive fearfulness

• Aggression, anger, or defiance

• Regression to earlier behaviors (e.g., bedwetting, thumb sucking)

• Avoidance of certain people or places

• Reluctance to change clothes in front of others

• Running away from home

• Use of sexual language or knowledge inappropriate for age

• Seductive or overly sexualized behavior

Emotional Signs

• Low self-esteem or self-worth

• Guilt, shame, or feelings of responsibility for the abuse

• Nightmares or sleep disturbances

• Sudden mood swings or anxiety

• Suicidal thoughts or self-harming behaviors

Social Signs

• Loss of interest in friends or usual activities

• Isolation from peers

• Difficulty trusting others or forming relationships

• Sudden fear of being left alone with a specific person