April is Child Abuse Awareness Month

[Subdued]

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month, so I thought I'd post some links that might be helpful and informative.

http://www.stopitnow.org/childabusepreventionmonth.html

There's some good information there; including signs to watch for, a prevention guidebook, free prevention tools, and information about online safety.

www.darkness2light.org is another great website, as well as www.protect.org.

[Pressing-On]

Thanks for the thread and links, Subdued. It's important information!

[Subdued]

'Cuz it's important.

[Cindy]

Yes it is important.

[Subdued]

Behavioral Warning Signs of Possible Child Sexual Abuse

Some of these behavioral signs can show up at other stressful times in a child's life such as divorce, the death of a family member, friend or pet, or when there are problems in school, as well as when abuse is involved. Any one sign doesn't mean the child was abused, but several of them suggest you should begin asking questions.



Do you notice some of the following behaviors in children you know?

• Fear of certain people or places (e.g., a child may not want to be left alone with a baby-sitter, a friend, a relative, or some other child or adult; or a child who is usually talkative and cheery may become quiet and distant when around a certain person).
• Nightmares, trouble sleeping, or other extreme fears without an obvious explanation.
• Play, writing, drawings or dreams may include sexual or frightening images.
• Spacing out at odd times, seems distracted or distant, “checked out.”
• Loss of appetite, or trouble eating or swallowing or sudden changes in eating habits.
• Sudden mood swings: rage, fear, anger, insecurity or withdrawal.
• Leaves “clues” that seem likely to provoke a discussion about sexual issues.
• Stomach illness all of the time with no identifiable reason.
• An older child behaving like a younger child, such as bed-wetting or thumb sucking.
• Adult-like sexual activities with toys or other children, such as simulating sex with dolls or asking other children/siblings to behave sexually.
• New words for private body parts.
• Shows resistance to bathing, toileting, or removing clothes even at appropriate situations.
• Refusing to talk about a "secret" he/she has with an adult or older child.
• Talking about a new older friend.
• Suddenly having money, toys or other gifts for no apparent reason.
• Cutting, burning or otherwise intentionally harming herself or himself, i.e. drug use, alcohol abuse, sexual promiscuity, running away from home.
• Has negative self image, i.e. thinks of self or body as repulsive, dirty or bad.

Physical Warning Signs of Possible Child Sexual Abuse



Does a child close to you have:

• Unexplained bruises, redness, or bleeding of the child's genitals, anus, or mouth?
• Pain at the genitals, anus, or mouth?
• Genital sores or milky fluids in the genital area?