Indicators Of Child Sexual Abuse : Psychosocial Indicators, Part 2

by Child Welfare Information Gateway

(Page 4 of 4)

Sexual Indicators Found in Older Children

As children mature, they become aware of societal responses to their sexual activity, and therefore overt sexual interactions of the type cited above are less common. Moreover, some level of sexual activity is considered normal for adolescents. However, there are three sexual indicators that may signal sexual abuse.

• sexual promiscuity among girls,
• being sexually victimized by peers or nonfamily members among girls, and
• adolescent prostitution.

Of these three indicators, the last is most compelling. One study found that 90 percent of female adolescent prostitutes were sexually abused. Although there has not been comparable research on male adolescent prostitutes, there are clinical observations that they become involved in prostitution because of sexual abuse.

A High-Probability Sexual Indicator for All Children

Finally, when children report to anyone they are being or have been sexually abused, there is a high probability they are telling the truth. Only in rare circumstances do children have any interest in making false accusations. False allegations by children represent between 1 and 5 percent of reports. Therefore, unless there is substantial evidence that the statement is false, it should be interpreted as a good indication that the child has, in fact, been sexually abused.

Nonsexual Behavioral Indicators of Possible Sexual Abuse

The reason that nonsexual behavioral symptoms are lower probability indicators of sexual abuse is because they can also be indicators of other types of trauma. For example, these symptoms can be a consequence of physical maltreatment, marital discord, emotional maltreatment, or familial substance abuse. Nonsexual behavioral indicators can arise because of the birth of a sibling, the death of a loved one, or parental loss of employment. Moreover, natural disasters such as floods or earthquakes can result in such symptomatic behavior.

As with sexual behaviors, it is useful to divide symptoms into those more characteristic of younger children and those found primarily in older children. However, there are also some symptoms found in both age groups.

Nonsexual Behavioral Indicators in Young Children

The following symptoms may be found in younger children:

• sleep disturbances;
• enuresis;
• encopresis;
• other regressive behavior (e.g., needing to take transitional object to school);
• self-destructive or risk-taking behavior;
• impulsivity, distractibility, difficulty concentrating (without a history of nonabusive etiology);
• refusal to be left alone;
• fear of the alleged offender;
• fear of people of a specific type or gender;
• firesetting (more characteristic of boy victims);
• cruelty to animals (more characteristic of boy victims); and
• role reversal in the family or pseudomaturity.

Nonsexual Behavioral Indicators in Older Children

• eating disturbances (bulimia and anorexia);
• running away;
• substance abuse;
• self-destructive behavior, e.g., suicidal gestures, attempts, and successes and self-mutilation;
• incorrigibility;
• criminal activity; and
• depression and social withdrawal.

Nonsexual Behavioral Indicators in All Children

Three types of problems may be found in children of all ages:

• problems relating to peers,
• school difficulties, and
• sudden noticeable changes in behavior.

Summary

Sexually abused children may manifest a range of symptoms, which reflect the specifics of their abuse and how they are coping with it.

Suspicion is heightened when the child presents with several indicators, particularly when there is a combination of sexual and nonsexual indicators. For example, a common configuration in female adolescent victims is promiscuity, substance abuse, and suicidal behavior. Similarly, the presence of both behavioral and physical symptoms increases concern. However, the absence of a history of such indicators does not signal the absence of sexual abuse.

About the Author

www.childwelfare.gov
Formerly the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information and the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse, Child Welfare Information Gateway provides access to information and resources to help protect children and strengthen families. A service of the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.