Warning Signs that Your Child May Have Been Sexually Molested

Zero Tolerance, Scotland

• Sleep disturbances, nightmares, won’t/can’t sleep alone, problems getting to sleep
• Preoccupation with sexually explicit knowledge that is inappropriate for child’s developmental age
• Behavioral re-enactments of molestation (more likely with children under age 6)
• Difficulty relaxing (irritable, panicky, clingy)
• Exaggerated startle response (jumpy)
• Wavering between withdrawal, friendliness and aggressive outbursts
• Trauma specific fears (refusal to visit someone or somewhere that s/he has previously enjoyed) and/or fears of the mundane (of the darkness, strangers, being alone, being outside, being away from you, animals)
• Deliberate avoidance behavior (school absenteeism, "sick" when time to go to church, ball practice, etc.)
• Regressive behaviors to earlier developmental stages (bedwetting, thumb-sucking)
• Loss of ability to enjoy previously enjoyable activities
• Withdrawal from friends/playmates and usual activity

Indiana is a mandatory report state (IC 31-35-5-1) in regard to child abuse and neglect. If you suspect that your child has been abused, you are required to report the abuse to your county Child Protective Service (CPS) and/or the State Police. You may also want to contact your local rape advocacy center and request that a specially trained advocate be present with you for your support.

For additional information please see:

• Crisis Connection Statistics
• Indiana Sex & Violent Offender Registry
• The Sexual Abuse of Boys
• The Sexual Abuse of Girls
• Pedophilia and Child Sexual Molestation
• Preventing the Sexual Exploitation of Children
• Internet Child Sexual Predators
• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
• Child Help USA
• From Darkness to Light
• Porn, Meth & Violence
• The More You Know
• Speakers Available