[KCFusion] Fw: fdsafda thought you should see this.

[Adaryl Wakefield]

Title: What are warning signs that tell me if a child has been sexually abused?What are warning signs that tell me if a child has been sexually abused?

Adaryl "Did you reboot?" Wakefield Aviator by passion Programmer by sheer force of will ----- Original Message ----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Friday, May 21, 2004 1:08 PM Subject: fdsafda thought you should see this. ABUSE ABUSE What are warning signs that tell me if a child has been sexually abused? What are warning signs that tell me if a child has been sexually abused? Unfortunately, there is not a specific sign that can identify a child who has been sexually abused. In some cases, a medical examination may be appropriate, but this type of exam can be traumatic for the child and the parent. There are some generally accepted symptoms, however, that typically are present in sexually abused children: Fear Anger and hostility Inappropriate sexual behavior Depression Guilt and shame Sudden drop in school performance Physical complaints such as a headache or stomachaches Regressive behavior, such as losing recently gained developmental skills Sleep problems such as fear of sleeping alone, nightmares, or even sleep terrors. It should be kept in mind that no one of the above signs should be considered an indicator of sexual abuse by itself. However, the more signs that are present, the higher the probability of sexual abuse. Resource: Dr. Wes Jones, Children's Services Director, Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas Child sexual abuse is reported up to 80,000 times a year, but the legal procedure for validating an episode is difficult. When the sexual abuse has occurred, the child develops a variety of distressing feelings and thoughts. No child is psychologically prepared to cope with repeated sexual stimulation. The child of five or older, who knows and cares for the abuser, becomes trapped between affection or loyalty for the person and the sense that the sexual activities are terribly wrong. If the child tries to break away from the sexual relationship, the abuser may threaten the child with violence or loss of love. When sexual abuse occurs within the family, the child may fear the anger, jealousy, or shame of other family members, or be afraid the family will break up if the secret is told. A child who is the victim of prolonged sexual abuse usually develops low self-esteem, a feeling of worthlessness, and an abnormal perspective on sexuality. The child may become withdrawn and distrustful of adults, and can become suicidal. Some children who have been sexually abused have difficulty relating to others except on sexual terms. Some sexually abused children become child abusers themselves, or prostitutes, or have other serious problems when they reach adulthood. Often there are either no physical signs of child abuse, or signs that only a physician can detect, such as changes in the genital or anal area. The behavior of sexually abused children may include: 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; Secretiveness; Aspects of sexual molestation in drawings, games, fantasies; Unusual aggressiveness; Suicidal behavior; or Other severe behavior changes. Child sexual abusers can make the child extremely fearful of telling, and only when a special effort has been made to help the child feel safe, can the child talk freely. If a child says that he or she has been molested, parents should stress that what happened was not the child's fault. Parents should seek a medical examination and psychiatric consultation. These are some preventive measures parents can take: Tell children that "if someone tries to touch your body and do things that make you feel funny, say 'NO' to that person and tell me right away." Teach children that respect does not mean blind obedience to adults and to authority, for example, don't tell children to, "Always do everything the teacher or baby-sitter tells you to do." Encourage professional prevention programs in the local school system. Sexually abused children and their families need professional evaluation and treatment. Child and adolescent psychiatrists can help abused children regain a sense of self-esteem, cope with feelings of guilt about the abuse, and begin the process of overcoming the trauma. Such treatment can help reduce the risk that the child will develop serious problems as an adult. SOURCE: Facts for Families Â, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Unfortunately, there is not a specific sign that can identify a child who has been sexually abused. In some cases, a medical examination may be appropriate, but this type of exam can be traumatic for the child and the parent. There are some generally accepted symptoms, however, that typically are present in sexually abused children: Fear Anger and hostility Inappropriate sexual behavior Depression Guilt and shame Sudden drop in school performance Physical complaints such as a headache or stomachaches Regressive behavior, such as losing recently gained developmental skills Sleep problems such as fear of sleeping alone, nightmares, or even sleep terrors. It should be kept in mind that no one of the above signs should be considered an indicator of sexual abuse by itself. However, the more signs that are present, the higher the probability of sexual abuse. Resource: Dr. Wes Jones, Children's Services Director, Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas Child sexual abuse is reported up to 80,000 times a year, but the legal procedure for validating an episode is difficult. When the sexual abuse has occurred, the child develops a variety of distressing feelings and thoughts. No child is psychologically prepared to cope with repeated sexual stimulation. The child of five or older, who knows and cares for the abuser, becomes trapped between affection or loyalty for the person and the sense that the sexual activities are terribly wrong. If the child tries to break away from the sexual relationship, the abuser may threaten the child with violence or loss of love. When sexual abuse occurs within the family, the child may fear the anger, jealousy, or shame of other family members, or be afraid the family will break up if the secret is told. A child who is the victim of prolonged sexual abuse usually develops low self-esteem, a feeling of worthlessness, and an abnormal perspective on sexuality. The child may become withdrawn and distrustful of adults, and can become suicidal. Some children who have been sexually abused have difficulty relating to others except on sexual terms. Some sexually abused children become child abusers themselves, or prostitutes, or have other serious problems when they reach adulthood. Often there are either no physical signs of child abuse, or signs that only a physician can detect, such as changes in the genital or anal area. The behavior of sexually abused children may include: 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; Secretiveness; Aspects of sexual molestation in drawings, games, fantasies; Unusual aggressiveness; Suicidal behavior; or Other severe behavior changes. Child sexual abusers can make the child extremely fearful of telling, and only when a special effort has been made to help the child feel safe, can the child talk freely. If a child says that he or she has been molested, parents should stress that what happened was not the child's fault. Parents should seek a medical examination and psychiatric consultation. These are some preventive measures parents can take: Tell children that "if someone tries to touch your body and do things that make you feel funny, say 'NO' to that person and tell me right away." Teach children that respect does not mean blind obedience to adults and to authority, for example, don't tell children to, "Always do everything the teacher or baby-sitter tells you to do." Encourage professional prevention programs in the local school system. Sexually abused children and their families need professional evaluation and treatment. Child and adolescent psychiatrists can help abused children regain a sense of self-esteem, cope with feelings of guilt about the abuse, and begin the process of overcoming the trauma. Such treatment can help reduce the risk that the child will develop serious problems as an adult. SOURCE: Facts for Families Â, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Unfortunately, there is not a specific sign that can identify a child who has been sexually abused. In some cases, a medical examination may be appropriate, but this type of exam can be traumatic for the child and the parent. There are some generally accepted symptoms, however, that typically are present in sexually abused children: Fear Anger and hostility Inappropriate sexual behavior Depression Guilt and shame Sudden drop in school performance Physical complaints such as a headache or stomachaches Regressive behavior, such as losing recently gained developmental skills Sleep problems such as fear of sleeping alone, nightmares, or even sleep terrors. It should be kept in mind that no one of the above signs should be considered an indicator of sexual abuse by itself. However, the more signs that are present, the higher the probability of sexual abuse. Resource: Dr. Wes Jones, Children's Services Director, Mental Health Center of East Central Kansas Child sexual abuse is reported up to 80,000 times a year, but the legal procedure for validating an episode is difficult. When the sexual abuse has occurred, the child develops a variety of distressing feelings and thoughts. No child is psychologically prepared to cope with repeated sexual stimulation. The child of five or older, who knows and cares for the abuser, becomes trapped between affection or loyalty for the person and the sense that the sexual activities are terribly wrong. If the child tries to break away from the sexual relationship, the abuser may threaten the child with violence or loss of love. When sexual abuse occurs within the family, the child may fear the anger, jealousy, or shame of other family members, or be afraid the family will break up if the secret is told. A child who is the victim of prolonged sexual abuse usually develops low self-esteem, a feeling of worthlessness, and an abnormal perspective on sexuality. The child may become withdrawn and distrustful of adults, and can become suicidal. Some children who have been sexually abused have difficulty relating to others except on sexual terms. Some sexually abused children become child abusers themselves, or prostitutes, or have other serious problems when they reach adulthood. Often there are either no physical signs of child abuse, or signs that only a physician can detect, such as changes in the genital or anal area. The behavior of sexually abused children may include: 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; Secretiveness; Aspects of sexual molestation in drawings, games, fantasies; Unusual aggressiveness; Suicidal behavior; or Other severe behavior changes. Child sexual abusers can make the child extremely fearful of telling, and only when a special effort has been made to help the child feel safe, can the child talk freely. If a child says that he or she has been molested, parents should stress that what happened was not the child's fault. Parents should seek a medical examination and psychiatric consultation. These are some preventive measures parents can take: Tell children that "if someone tries to touch your body and do things that make you feel funny, say 'NO' to that person and tell me right away." Teach children that respect does not mean blind obedience to adults and to authority, for example, don't tell children to, "Always do everything the teacher or baby-sitter tells you to do." Encourage professional prevention programs in the local school system. Sexually abused children and their families need professional evaluation and treatment. Child and adolescent psychiatrists can help abused children regain a sense of self-esteem, cope with feelings of guilt about the abuse, and begin the process of overcoming the trauma. Such treatment can help reduce the risk that the child will develop serious problems as an adult. SOURCE: Facts for Families Â, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Click on the links below to get more information. Signs of child Sexual Abuse Prevent Child Sexual Abuse Keys for Networking, Inc. Kansas Parent Information and Resource Center 1301 S.W. Topeka Blvd. Topeka, KS 66612 Tel: (785) 233-8732 Fax: (785) 235-6659 Msg Line: (800) 499-8732 www.keys.org