Signs and Symptoms of Abuse
A. Signs and Symptoms of Sexual Abuse
• Shows a sexual knowledge beyond that of expected for the age of
the client
• Shows bizarre sexual behavior or is pregnant
• Overly affectionate and seems seductive with peers and other
adults
• Recurring genital infections or pain in the genital area
• Pain or itching in genital area
•Difficultywalkingorsitting
•Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing
• Bleeding/ bruising in external genitalia area, vaginal or anal area
• Evidence of sexually transmitted diseases - especially in pre-teens
• Actual report of sexual abuse
• Threatened by physical contact
• Regression of behavior (ex. Thumb sucking)
• Most children will not tell because they:
1. Think no one will believe them
2. Do not have the vocabulary to explain what happened to
them
3. Have been taught to “obey their elders”
4. Have been threatened not to reveal the abuse
