Possible Signs of Child Sexual AbuseBcac_poster4_tiny

Children who have been sexually abused may display a wide variety of emotional, behavioral, or physical symptoms. The signs below are not all inclusive or exclusive, but can serve as a guide to understanding an abused child's behavior. If you suspect abuse, call 911.

Emotional and behavioral signs in children who may have been sexually abused:

  • Child reports being abused
  • Sudden mood swings involving rage, fear, anger, or withdrawal
  • Fear of being left alone with a specific person
  • Becoming distant when a specific person is present
  • Fear of a particular place
  • Nightmares, trouble sleeping or extreme fear without a reasonable explanation
  • Unusual clinginess
  • "Spacing out" at odd times
  • Loss of appetite
  • Trouble eating or swallowing
  • Incorporating sexual subject matter into drawing, writing or play
  • Sexual activities with toys or other children
  • Reverting to earlier childhood behaviors, e.g. bedwetting, thumb sucking
  • Knowledge of sexual activity more extensive than what it should be for their stage of development
  • Alluding to a secret between him/herself and an adult or older child.

Possible physical signs of sexual abuse: 

  • Trouble sitting or standing
  • Recurrent urinary tract infections
  • Bruising, bleeding, pain, or itching in the genital area, anus, mouth or throat
  • Presence of sexually transmitted disease or pregnancy in underage child
  • Stained, torn, or bloody undergarments
  • Penile or vaginal discharge and/or odor

Possible signs of abusers:

  • Insistence on touching or showing child affection even when the child resists
  • Frequently offers to babysit for free or take children on unsupervised outings
  • Requesting uninterrupted time alone with a child
  • Spending significant time with children or much younger teens, in addition to showing little interest in peers or those who are older
  • Buying children expensive or inappropriate gifts or giving them money for no reason
  • Walking in on children or teens in the bathroom, whether accidental or not
  • Significant interest in the sexuality of a particular child or teen
  • Preoccupation with pornography or sexual play with children or toys

Possible signs in relationships with older children and adolescents:

When another child or an adolescent is the abuser, it may be difficult to tell the difference between sexual exploration and sexual abuse.  Signs of abuse may include:

  • The potential abuser is much larger than the other child
  • There is a difference in age of three or more
  • The potential abuser has power over the child, e.g. babysitter, camp counselor, neighborhood bully, gang leader
  • The potential victim has physical, emotional or mental delays that would inhibit his/her ability to protect themselves
  • Abuser is making potential threats

If you suspect sexual abuse:

In Baltimore City, call 911 or 410-361-2235

Outside Baltimore City, report it to the proper authorities by calling 911 or your local child protection services team. Click here for those numbers.