Many families do not want to believe their child
is being sexually abused even if the signs of child sexual abuse are staring
them straight in the face. Unfortunately many families are in a similar
situation where both parents are working full time and someone other than the
biological parents are caring for their children. Under these circumstances
the potential for child sexual abuse is more prevalent. Obviously under these
circumstances it is tremendously important for parents to watch for the signs
of child sexual abuse.
Some common signs of child sexual abuse are:
* Sexually advanced for his or her age
* Increase in masturbation, preoccupation with sex or promiscuous
behavior
* Frequent urinary track infections or irritation in the genital
area
Do Not Ignore The Signs of Child Sexual Abuse
Many families ignore the signs of child sexual abuse believing their
child was safe because someone they knew always watched their children.
Unfortunately, studies of child sexual abuse have shown that children were
most often abused by people they knew. It is important that you take these
signs of child sexual abuse seriously so you could stop any further abuse.
Get Professional Help if Your Child Exhibits the Signs of Child
Sexual Abuse
If your child is exhibiting any or all of the signs of child sexual
abuse take your child to your family doctor for a medical exam. You might also
want to seek counseling with a professional who has experience with child
sexual abuse. Both the medical doctor and the psychological professional
should be able to determine definitively whether anything sexually
inappropriate has occurred.
Many children who exhibit the signs of child sexual abuse feel like they
have done something wrong. Support your child and reassure them that they were
the innocent victims. By taking the signs of child sexual abuse seriously and
with your support and encouragement, your child will eventually emotionally
heal from this abuse. Your child will also learn how much you trust and
support them.
