Learn the signs
Strive to become an expert in keeping children around you safe by learning preventive behaviour. Sometimes though, children may still be harmed by an opportunistic adult. Make sure that children around you know that they can trust you and depend on you for help.
Read some common indicators of abuse below:
Physical signs
- Bruising, bleeding, swelling, tears or cuts on genitals or anus
- An unusual vaginal odor or discharge
- Torn, stained or bloody clothes especially underwear
- Pain or itching in the genital area, difficulty going to the bathroom, walking or sitting
- Sexually transmitted diseases, especially in pre-adolescent children
- Pregnancy
Behavioural/Emotional Signs
- Difficulty in concentrating
- Change in school grades -studying/focusing more than usual or neglecting classwork/skipping school
- Mood disorders, especially depression
- Regressive behaviour, for example bed-wetting or thumb-sucking when it wasn’t an issue before>
- Sudden development of fears, especially of specific people or places
- Creating stories, poems or artwork about abuse
- Sexual knowledge & behaviour inappropriate for the child’s age
- Sexual aggression toward younger or smaller children.
- Self-harm or self-demeaning remarks
- Eating disorders like bulimia/anorexia nervosa
- Alcohol and/or drug abuse.
It is never wise to jump to conclusions that every behavioural or physical change in a child is a sign of abuse, but it is important to consider the possibility.
Signs that an adult is sexually abusing a child
- Refusal to give the child privacy or make their own decisions on personal matters.
- Abnormal interest in child/teenager sexual development.
- Pushing physical affection on a child ie: kissing, hugging, or wrestling when it’s obvious the child doesn’t want it.
- Insisting on uninterrupted time alone with a child.
- Buying child expensive gifts or giving them money for no reason.
- Picking on a certain child.
- Treating a certain child differently than others, treating them as their “favourite” or special.
- Walking in on child/teenager in the bathroom.
- Often offering to baby-sit or take child on overnight trips.
What if the signs are not very obvious? Read NSPCC's resource on what to do if you suspect abuse.
Even concerned bystanders can protect children by learning to address boundary violations as discussed in the following presentation during ASCCSA 2015 by Darkness to light.
Organize a training
Seek help
If you represent an organisation and need help with making it safer for children, you may write to us at projectheal.thefoundation@gmail.com
