Information provided by National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Sexual exploitation should not be confused with physical contacts that are true expressions of affection. A warm and healthy relationship can exist if adults respect the child and place reasonable limits on their physical interaction.
Child molesting is often a repeat crime. Many kids are victimized a number of times. The reality of sexual exploitation is that often the child is very confused, uncomfortable, and unwilling to talk about the experience to parents, teachers, or anyone else. But they will talk if you have already established an atmosphere of trust and support in your home, where your child will feel free to talk without fear of accusation, blame, or guilt.
Parents should be alert to these indicators of sexual abuse
- Changes in behavior, extreme mood swings, withdrawal, fearfulness, and excessive crying.
- Bed-wettings, nightmares, fear of going to bed or other sleep disturbances.
- Acting out inappropriate sexual activity or showing an unusual interest in sexual matters.
- A sudden acting out of feelings or aggressive or rebellious behavior.
- Regression to infantile behavior.
- A fear of certain places, people, or activities, especially being alone with certain people. Children should not be forced to give affection to an adult or teenager if they do not want to. Be alert to signs that your child is trying to avoid someone and listen carefully when your child tells you how he or she feels about someone.
- Pain, itching, bleeding, fluid, or rawness in the private areas.
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