Signs of Sexual Abuse in Childhood

Sexually abused children may develop the following:

* Unusual interest in or avoidance of all things of a sexual nature.
* Sleep problems or nightmares.
Depression or withdrawal from friends or family.
* Seductiveness.
* statements that their bodies are dirty or damaged, or fear that there is something wrong with them in the genital area.
* Refusal to go to school.
* Delinquency/conduct problems.
* Secretiveness.
* Aspects of sexual molestation in drawings, games, fantasies.
* Unusual aggressiveness, or suicidal behavior.