Signs of Child Sexual Abuse

Many families do not want to believe their child is
being sexually abused even if the signs of child sexualGet Professional Help if Your Child Exhibits the Signs
abuse are staring them straight in the face.of Child Sexual Abuse
Unfortunately many families are in a similar situation
where both parents are working full time andIf your child is exhibiting any or all of the signs of
someone other than the biological parents are caringchild sexual abuse take your child to your family
for their children. Under these circumstances thedoctor for a medical exam. You might also want to
potential for child sexual abuse is more prevalent.seek counseling with a professional who has
Obviously under these circumstances it isexperience with child sexual abuse. Both the medical
tremendously important for parents to watch for thedoctor and the psychological professional should be
signs of child sexual abuse.able to determine definitively whether anything
sexually inappropriate has occurred.
Some common signs of child sexual abuse are:
Many children who exhibit the signs of child sexual
* Sexually advanced for his or her ageabuse feel like they have done something wrong.
* Increase in masturbation, preoccupation with sexSupport your child and reassure them that they were
or promiscuous behaviorthe innocent victims. By taking the signs of child
* Frequent urinary track infections or irritation in thesexual abuse seriously and with your support and
genital areaencouragement, your child will eventually emotionally
heal from this abuse. Your child will also learn how
Do Not Ignore The Signs of Child Sexual Abusemuch you trust and support them.Lisa Dunning is a
California Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
Many families ignore the signs of child sexual abuseSpecializing in Parent/Child Relationship issues and
believing their child was safe because someone theyauthor of "Good Parents Bad Parenting: How To
knew always watched their children. Unfortunately,Parent Together When Your Parenting Styles Are
studies of child sexual abuse have shown thatWorlds Apart".Lisa Dunning is a columnist for Las
children were most often abused by people theyVegas Family Magazine & Los Angeles Family
knew. It is important that you take these signs ofMagazine and provides expert relationship and
child sexual abuse seriously so you could stop anyparenting advice for television and radio programs
further abuse.throughout the country.