Symptoms of Sexual
Abuse
The symptoms of
sexual abuse can vary depending on the
situation and individual. However, there are common signs to pay
attention to when deciding whether or not you or a loved one has been
abused.
Common
Physical/Behavioral Symptoms:
- Frequent
Masturbation
- Awkward sexual
behavior (i.e., inappropriate
boundaries with others-acting out with other children)
- Bleeding in
genital area and other obvious signs that
a child has been violated sexually (i.e. sexually transmitted diseases,
mouth sores, complaints of pain in genital area, pregnancy)
- Sleep problems
(i.e. nightmares, sleeping too
much/too little, afraid of going to bed)
- Sudden
personality changes (i.e. an outgoing girl
becomes introverted)
- Relationship
problems (i.e. avoids others,
irritability, isolation)
- Problems in
school (i.e. difficulty paying attention,
truancy, bullying)
Common
Emotional Symptoms of Sexual
Abuse:
- Frequent crying
- Low self-esteem
- Mental health
issues (i.e. anxiety, depression,
self-mutilation, suicidal thoughts/attempts)
I have written an
e-book about
how to overcome child abuse. In
this book you’ll find information about how to
deal
with the effects of child abuse. You’ll find step-by-step
tips
and advice on:
- How to get in
touch with your true feelings about
the abuse (i.e., What to do about the anger, resentment, and hate you
have for your abuser or another loved one)
- How to
communicate these feelings with the abuser or
anyone else involved.
- How to
understand the ones who have hurt you. (i.e.,
Why did this happen to you? Why didn’t your mother believe
you?
Where was God in all of this?)
- How to live
your life fully after abuse.
- How to forgive.
Resource:
http://www.childtrauma.org/CTAMATERIALS/sexual_abuse.asp
Related
Articles:
Physical
Abuse
Signs
of Domestic Abuse
What
is Verbal Abuse
Emotional
Abuse Signs
Child
Abuse Stories |
