This terrifying question is one that most parents hope they will never have to ask. But when parents assume that their children are not at risk, they are very wide off the mark.
The National Council for Child Welfare handles about 26 000 cases of sexual and physical abuse of children countrywide every month, and there chances are great that this is only the tip of the iceberg.
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The majority of sexual abusers are male, but perpetrators can also be women. The scary truth is that abusers are often friends, acquaintances and even family members.
How can you tell if someone is abusing your child sexually? Childline offers the following pointers.
Physical Signs:
Any injury, soreness, redness, swelling or itching around the genital or anal area
Venereal disease
Fluctuations in body mass
Pregnancy
Behavioral Signs:
Inappropriate sexual play with self and others
Inappropriate sexually explicit drawings
Knowledge of sexual acts that is age-inappropriate
Seductive behaviour
Excessive masturbation
Double dressing
Avoidance of bathrooms
Late arrival or absence from school
Personality changes
Change in appetite
Sudden weight gain/loss
Self mutilation
Inability to concentrate
Locking doors
Very eager to please others (over-compliance)
Depression
Suicidal tendencies
Nightmares
Not wanting friends to visit at home
Not wanting to go home or getting home too early
Promiscuity
Prostitution
Running away
It is important to note that children who have been sexually abused may or may not exhibit signs and symptoms of the abuse. A child may also show one or more of the signs or symptoms listed, but may not have been sexually abused. If you are unsure, consult a professional.
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