Kaye Healey, Sexual Abuse, The Spinney Press 1996, p. 3.

PHYSICAL INDICATORS

Genital and Anal Areas

– Bruises, scratches or other injuries not consistent with accidental injury.

– Itching, soreness, discharge or unexplained bleeding.

– Painful and frequent urination.

– Signs of sexually transmitted infections.

– Semen in the vagina, anus or external genitalia or on clothing.

General

– Bruises, bite marks or other injuries, buttocks, lower abdomen or thighs.

– Difficulty walking or sitting.

– Torn, stained or bloodied underwear.

– Pregnancy in adolescents where the identity of the father is vague or secret.

– Recurrent urinary tract infections.

– Persistent headaches or recurrent abdominal pain.

– Unexplained pain in the genital area.

BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS

Sexual

– Over attention to adults of a particular sex.

– Displaying unusual interest in the genitals of others and self.

– Acting out adult sexual behaviour with adults, dolls or other children.

– Open display of sexuality, e.g. repeated public masturbation.

– Precocious knowledge of sexual matters.

– Promiscuity, repetitious sexually precocious behaviour.

General

– Sudden changes in mood behaviour.

– Difficulty sleeping, nightmares.

– Regressed behaviour – bed-wetting, separation anxiety, insecurity.

– Change in eating patterns including preoccupation with food.

– Lack of trust in familiar adults, fear of strangers, fear of men.

– Lack of appropriate boundaries in family – child fulfils parental role.

– Acting out behaviour – aggression, lying, stealing, unexplained running away, drug or
alcohol abuse, suicide attempts.

– Withdrawn behaviour – passivity, excessive compliance, mood swings, depression.

– Learning problems at school, loss of concentration, unexplained drop in school
performance.

– Poor peer relationships, family and/or child appear socially isolated.

– Reluctance to undress, e.g. for school sporting functions.

– Excessive bathing.

– Inappropriate displays of affection.