Signs of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse in young children is not as rare as you might think.
Since a large portion of sexual abuse is never reported, it is hard to know how often it really occures.
Most statistics say that one in three girls will be sexually abused before their 12th birthday and one in five boys.
Facts About Child Sexual Abuse
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Sexual abuse not only involves intercourse, but it could be touching, looking, forcing the child to touch or look at an adult and pornographic pictures or movies being taken or forced to watch.
Another type of abuse includes oral or anal sex and even sexually suggestive remarks.
Many survivors who tell about their abuse later in life are questioned as to why didn't they tell when the abuse was actually taking place.
In most cases they did try to tell, but being a child they didn't know the right words to say and any remark they made was just ignored.
I told my Mom about my first incident of sexual abuse, but all I told her was my uncle showed me how to touch myself. The last thing she would have thought of was he may have really done that or more.
I was six years old and she probably thought I was just making it up. During all my years of abuse I never again told an adult. I was not listened to or believed the first time I told, so who would believe me now. Also, I believed the lies my abusers told me.
Signs of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Below is a list of signs of sexual abuse. If you or someone you know show these signs they may need to seek professional help .
- Sudden fear or refusal to spend time with someone the child is well known to or even a relative.
- A seemingly unreasonable fear or refusal to go to certain places.
- Some children will runaway from home, yet others could turn to drugs or alcohol.
- Eating disorders can be traced back to sexual abuse. Some will over eat to gain weight, so they will no longer be attractive to their abuser. This is what I did and it didn't work. Yet others feel so out of control over what happens to their body they will attempt to control by means of bulimia or anorexia.
- Confusion or loss of time. Many times as a self defense method a child will disassociate themselves from the act of sexual abuse while it is happening or even after it happens. So they will have periods of time they cannot account for.
- Self-mutilation. I did this as a child and as an adult survivor. It is a very bad coping tool.
- Feelings or attempts of suicide.
- A sudden interest in sex or genitalia or compulsive sexual activity.
- Pregnancy may be the first sign of sexual abuse.
- Sexually transmitted diseases, repetitive yeast or urinary infections.
- Sudden fear or refusal for medical exams.
- A sudden self-consciousness of their bodies. Most very young children do not care who sees them naked, but if they hide their bodies it could be a sign.
- Fears of attics, closets and bathrooms. Abuse can take place uninterrupted in these small areas.
- Hiding underwear or clothes in odd places. Or finding bloody spots when the child is too young to have a cycle.
- Artwork can show signs of abuse. Excessive use of blacks and reds or pictures of violence or death.
- Being caught abusing or attempting to get other children to perform sexual acts.
Sexual Abuse Symptoms
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Sexual abuse symptoms can cause havoc in your life. I know personally it changed my whole life.
I had many of the signs listed above, but no one to believe me.
Now, if a doctor has to examine me, that doctor must be a woman. I can't sleep with my bedroom door closed at night.
I can't stand for people to walk behind me. I had to learn to make myself safe in a world I saw as unsafe.
If I was out shopping and men are walking behind me I will pause and let them pass me. There were times I felt unsafe just leaving my house.
I would make myself go somewhere. It didn't matter where I went, the point was to go. If you give into the fear, you will become a prisoner in your home.
Sexual Abuse Effects
Childhood sexual abuse consequences can make you a prisoner. Many times just having repressed memories of sexual abuse can cause you to revert to being that little girl or boy that was being hurt.
Living as that child can be frightening. I would have repressed memories of sexual abuse. Many days I would feel like a child, just waiting for someone to come and hurt me.
I would try to keep the inner child safe. I would make a safe house in my mind where she could stay and talk about what happened to her. I would talk to her and tell her how sweet, good and clean she is, that what happened to her was not her fault!