Seek Legal Advice from an Experienced Chicago Sexual Abuse Attorney In addition to any potential criminal action, victims of sexual abuse may pursue a civil lawsuit to seek the justice deserved. If you suspect that your child or a child you care for is a victim of sexual abuse and you notice any of these signs in the child, report the suspected sexual abuse to the appropriate authorities immediately. These five indicators are the most noticeable and common in child victims of sexual abuse. Victims of sexual abuse manifest their trauma in many different manners. Next Steps If Your Child Shows Signs of Sexual Abuse Children who experience sexual abuse may also be abnormally startled by seemingly normal, nonsexual contact, such as being hugged or a pat on the back. Victims of sexual abuse may begin to suffer from anxiety and panic attacks, which can cause serious sleep disturbances, such as night terrors and insomnia. Excessive Fearįear is perhaps the most common symptom of sexual abuse and may display in a variety of ways. Sexual abuse victims may also experience depression, which must be treated appropriately to avoid the development of chronic depression. Additionally, a child may begin to wear oversized or long-sleeved clothing as an attempt to disguise their body. As a result, children experiencing sexual abuse may withdraw from their normal social activities, such as sports, school, or hobbies. Victims of sexual abuse may lose their self-confidence. While any sign of sexual abuse a child exhibits should not be ignored, this indicator may be the most serious one. Younger sexual abuse victims more commonly exhibit this sign due to the natural tendency of younger children to mimic actions they have observed or experienced. Perhaps the most unexpected sign of sexual abuse is when victims either begin to engage in sexual activity, become interested in sexual behavior, or attempt to recreate the sexual abuse. Some children may experience these feelings when in proximity to the location of the abuse, such as where the abuser lives. Unwarranted EmbarrassmentĬhildren who are sexual abuse victims typically exhibit feelings of embarrassment, anxiety, and general unease for what may appear to be no reason. For example, a child that is usually even-tempered, well-mannered, and social can become disruptive, demanding, and even violent after experiencing abuse. Victims of sexual abuse tend to behave noticeably different after the abuse starts. The following five signs have been linked to sexual abuse victims and should not be ignored if a child exhibits any or all signs. Due to this alarming fact, parents, friends, and other loved ones may not know when a child has been or is being abused. As a result, many children never tell anyone about the abuse. People who sexually abuse children can be found in families, schools, churches, recreation centers, youth sports leagues, and any other place children gather.Īccording to the Chicago Children’s Advocacy Center, the child knows the perpetrator personally and the perpetrator has permission to be around the child on a regular basis in more than 90 percent of sexual abuse cases. From youth organizations and sports leagues to religious organizations and schools, the sexual abuse of children tragically happens at the hands of a trusted adult. With children spending time in the care or supervision of others, opportunity abounds for sexual predators to inflict harm. Sexual abuse in children is a major concern that can truly haunt parents.
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