Signs of Abuse in Children -What You Need to Know

 

                                                       

 

                                   INDICATORS OF SEXUAL ABUSE WITH CHILDREN 

 

Children often show non-physical signs that they have been sexually abused. Experts say some kids may show many of these signs, while others only a few. Below is a list of some symptoms of sexual abuse and trauma in children that don't include obvious physical signs such as venereal disease and pregnancy. Remember that a perpetrator of abuse on a child will be very cunning. He or She will always make out that they are the perfect parent, sibling, relation, member of the community. As they will thrive on the control this allows them to have over their victim the child. Know the signs FOR ALL CHILDREN and Know your OWN CHILDREN, as when been abused they are voiceless to ask for any help. We as adults need to be their voice.

 

 

Indicators of sexual abuse in young children include: 

 

» Sleep disturbances 

 

» Bedwetting and/or loss of fecal control 

 

» Regressive behavior 

 

» Self-destructive or risk-taking behavior 

 

» Impulsivity, distractibility, difficulty concentrating

 

» Refusal to be left alone 

 

» Fear of an individual, such as an alleged offender 

 

» Fear of people of a specific type or gender

 

» Fire-setting 

 

» Cruelty to animals

 

» Problems relating to peers 

 

» Sudden changes in behavior 

 

» Difficulties in school 

 

» Inappropriate interest (for the age) in things sexual

 

 

Indicators of sexual abuse in older children include: 

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» Eating disturbances (overeating, bulimia, and anorexia) 

 

» Running away 

 

» Substance abuse 

 

» Self-destructive behavior, suicide attempts, self-mutilation 

 

» Incorrigibility 

 

» Criminal activity 

 

» Depression and social withdrawal 

 

» Problems relating to peers 

 

» Sudden changes in behavior

 

» Anger issues

 

» Difficulties in school

 

   SIGNS OF PEDOPHILIA - THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACE FOR YOUR CHILD CAN BE AT HOME.

 

Most people think that once their child is at home no matter what age they are that they are safe when the reality is that can be the most dangerous place for them. INTERNET access must be monitored, as PREDATORS will show up on their social media as either a very good looking young girl or a very handsome guy. Most young people will not question this but they will find themselves then addicted to that person as they tell them what they know your child wants to hear and although your child will innocently believe them it is all part of the GROOMING process that Pedophiles are experts at. As shocking and upsetting as this next statement will be too many, the term 'STRANGER DANGER' IS NOT in our view relevant, as in the MAJORITY OF CHILD ABDUCTIONS - RAPE - MURDER - ABUSE -TRAFFICKING THE PREDATOR THE ABUSER IS EITHER FAMILY - A RELATION - PARTNER OF A PARENT - FRIEND

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pedophiles are also very adept at locating troubled or withdrawn children. This is a skill they have acquired through years of trial and error. They have come to identify what usually works and what usually doesn't. The most common technique used by pedophiles to obtain sex from children is the seduction method. This process is very similar to the classic boy/girl courtship. Though the child might be under 10-years-old, the pedophile will lavish gifts upon the target, take him or her to amusement parks, museums, restaurants and other places of interest. 

 

Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is that they don't look any different from anyone else.  Sadly not all parents want to protect their children as SOME PARENTS ARE THEMSELVES THE ABUSERS. However, for those parents who love their children and whose safety is paramount to them, they are often lost as to how do they keep their kids safe when most don't know how to spot a PREDATOR. Anyone can be a pedophile, so identifying one can be very difficult, especially because most pedophiles are initially trusted by the children they abuse, and in sadly far too many cases they are family relations or even one or both parents  It can be a neighbor next door or the friendly parishioner or trusted co-worker. Most people don't think of mom or dad, or in the case of single parents, they're significant other. This misconception has been effectively dispelled through information obtained from thousands of child sexual abuse investigations over the years. Child molesters come from all walks of life and from all socioeconomic groups. They can be male or female, rich or poor, employed or unemployed, religious or non-religious, highly educated or non-educated, or from any race, family or strangers.

 

 

  PARENTAL ALIENATION IS CHILD ABUSE - PLEASE SEE SPECIFIC PAGE FOR THIS ON OUR SITE.

 

                                                   LOOK FOR SIGNS OF GROOMING

Look for signs of grooming. The term "grooming" refers to the process the pedophile undertakes to gain a child's trust, and sometimes the parents' trust as well. Over the course of months or even years, a pedophile will increasingly become a trusted friend of the family, offering to babysit, take the child shopping or on trips, or spend time with the child in other ways. Many PREDATORS won't actually begin abusing a child until trust has been gained. Some may use other opinions around them to back up their trustworthiness in order to take children shopping. It is imperative to note that sadly SOME PARENTS will groom their child to be exploited - abused from birth and are extremely good at cloaking this abuse as the child is literally brain trained to think that their life of abuse is normal, as to them sadly it is. DON'T EVER EXCLUDE A PARENT FROM SUSPICION OF ABUSE AS SOMETIMES THEY ARE THE PREDATOR.

 

Pedophiles look for children who are vulnerable to their tactics because they lack emotional support or aren't getting enough attention at home or will try to convince the parents their children are safe with them and that they are not going far. The PREDATOR will attempt to step in as the "parent" figure for the child.  Some pedophiles prey on the children of single parents who aren't available to provide as much supervision or convince parents that they are nice enough people to supervise without them.  Sadly we have seen far too often how SOME PARTNERS of a parent have CHOSEN  that parent, not for love but to gain access to their child or children, as that to them is their ultimate goal and the control and abuse provides their sexual gratification and NOT the intimacy with the parent.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A child molester will often use a range of games, tricks, activities, and language to gain trust and/or deceive a child. These include keeping of secrets (secrets are valuable to most kids, being seen as something "adult" and a source of power), sexually explicit games, fondling, kissing, touching, sexually suggestive behavior, exposing a child to pornographic material, coercion, bribery, flattery, and—worst of all—affection and love. Be aware that these tactics are ultimately used to isolate and confuse your child. 

 

FIVE WAYS TO GET PROTECT CHILDREN FROM A PEDOPHILE - PREDATOR

 

1. Get Active in Your Children’s Life. Make sure you know who your children are spending time with, the adults they come in contact with on a regular basis or what they are doing at a friend’s house.

 

2. Make Time To Take Part in Your Children’s Life. Pedophiles look for children who appear to be on their own or whose parents don’t pay much attention to them. Pedophiles participate in activities where children are, so getting involved in your children’s life can help set up a barrier between your children and a pedophile.

 

3. Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children Can Take Place Anywhere and at Any Time. This isn’t just a “big city” problem. The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that on average, there is one child molester per square mile. In Canada, that means on average, there is one child molester per 1.6 square kilometers. Be aware of the people who live in your community, and watch those who seem to have an unusual interest in children. Also be aware of the parents of the children in your extended family, friends or community, or the partner of one as sadly NOT all can be trusted and in far too many cases the danger to the child is far closer than you may think, hence why they escape been exposed for so long. OPEN YOUR EYES & EARS - ALWAYS GO WITH YOUR GUT - IT'S BETTER TO OFFER A CHILD HELP THAT ISN'T NEEDED THAN TO HAVE A CHILD NEED HELP AND NOBODY THERE TO OFFER IT 

 

4. Make Sure Your Children Know the Proper Name of Their Anatomical Parts. Pedophiles often adopt cute names for the “sexual” parts of a child’s body, and if your child knows the proper name, it may prevent a sexual attack. A knowledgeable child projects power and may scare off a sexual predator.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Listen To Your Intuition – Teach Children to Listen to Their Intuition. Intuition is a natural defense system and as we grow older, it becomes more refined. It is designed to protect us from harm or dangerous situations. Make sure your children understand this – if they feel uncomfortable, get out of that situation. If they feel unsure about doing something, don’t. If they don’t want to go with a certain person, don’t make them. Stop caring about politeness and think about safety first. Make sure you TEACH your children and all the children that you are around and know to speak to you if ANYBODY touches them or hurts them in any way. It doesn't matter who that person may be as your child needs to feel SAFE in telling you they are scared or hurt. Children don't lie when it comes to abuse, as normally these young children have no comprehension of sex, body parts or how to lie. BELIEVE YOUR CHILD OR ANY CHILD IF THEY TELL YOU THEY ARE BEEN ABUSED. Hindsight is no use when it comes to abuse.