If you’re worried that your child is being sexually abused, look for the following warning signs
- Night sweats with screaming or shaking, and nightmares
- Inexplicable bed-wetting
- Loss of appetite or other eating problems
- Sudden reluctance to be alone with a certain person
“They often won’t tell you straight up that something is happening to them, because they’ve been threatened, they may be ashamed, or they may not want to talk to you about it,” Dr. Phil says. “Think about these warning signs and ask questions. Create a dialogue if you’re worried about what’s going on with a child.”
For more informaion and to learn additional warning signs, visit these Web sites:
If you believe you need immediate assistance, please call your local emergency number or the mental health crisis hotline listed in your local phone book's government pages. Because DrPhil.com does not operate, supervise, or exercise any control over any of the therapists, resources or referral services listed, it makes no representations or warranty whatsoever, either expressed or implied, regarding any information or advice provided by these referral services. In no event shall it, Dr. Phil or the producers of the show be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on information provided by these therapists, resources or referral services.
American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
www.aacap.org/publications/factsfam/sexabuse.htm
American Psychological Association
www.apa.org/releases/sexabuse/
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=1485
Medline Plus
www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007224.htm
ProtectKids
www.protectkids.com/abuse/abusesigns.htm
National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
www.ncptsd.va.gov/facts/specific/fs_child_sexual_abuse.html
FindCounseling.com
www.findcounseling.com/journal/child-abuse/sexual-abuse-incest-statistics.html
Stop It Now!
www.stopitnow.com/warnings.html
ChildLuresPrevention.com
www.childluresprevention.com/index.asp
