The signs and indicators of sexual abuse will vary depending upon the age and developmental stage of the child in question.

Babies and very young children

The child is unable to vocalise what is happening to them, so we need to look for physical signs of harm.

Verbal pre-pubescent children

In this stage, the child may be able to vocalise what is happening but may not have the vocabulary to do so and may use unusual or imprecise words or phrases. It is also possible that the child may have the vocabulary and so may speak in ways that are inappropriate for their age and developmental stage. They may also disclose through play, story telling, pictures etc.

It is possible that the child does not understand what is happening and may talk about it, but it likely that the child has been silenced in some way and may be afraid or ashamed to volcalise what is happening.

Pubescent and post-pubescent children

At this stage the child is developing an awareness of their sexuality. Some children may have a strong sense of guilt or shame about what is happening and so feel unable to disclose. Other children may recognise that they are experiencing abuse, but may be afraid of speaking or may think that no one will believe them. Other children may try to make themselves unattractive to the abuser, while others may believe that they are in a genuine loving relationship, seeing the perpetrator as their boyfriend / girlfriend, and railing to see the abusive nature of the relationship.

Historically, there have been many failures in the handling of sexual abuse and the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse has investigated such failures across many different sectors. Specific themes such as online grooming, sexting, child sexual exploitation peer abuse and sexual harrassment, gang related abuse, and violence against women and girls further complicate the picture.

The sexual abuse of children can occur in many contexts, including:

• At home
• At school
• In out of school clubs and activities
• In childcare
• In religious institutions
• Online
• In the community

The abuse may be perpetrated by a family member, an extended family member or a family friend. It could be sexual abuse or harrassment by a peer or an older child and can be online or through social media, where there may be no physical contact between the perpetrator and the victim. It can also occur in the community, perpetrated by either individuals or gangs. In some situations the child may belive that they are in a genuine relationship and so may regard the contact as consensual rather than understanding its abusive nature.

Signs and indicators of sexual abuse may include some of the following:

• Bruising in the genital area, anal area, around the mouth and on the inner thights
• Bleeding, discharge, pains or soreness in the genital or anal areas
• Stains on underwear or nightware
• Sexually transmitted infections
• Overly sexualised speech or behaviour relative to the child’s age and developmental stage or developmentally inappropriate knowledge (particularly experiential knowledge)
• Having nightmares, unusual sleep patterns or bed-wetting
• Changes in their mood, feeling irritable and angry, or anything out of the ordinary
• Changes in eating habits or developing an eating problem, excessive weight gain or loss
• Lack of recognition of boundaries, overfamiliarity with strangers or a diminished sense of modesty / privacy in relation to body parts or behaviours
• Avoiding being alone with or frightened of people or a person they know.
• Alcohol or drug misuse.
• Mental health issues including anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal ideation etc
• Spending a lot more or a lot less time than usual online, texting, gaming or using social media
• Seeming distant, upset or angry after using the internet or texting
• Being secretive about who they’re talking to and what they’re doing online or on their mobile phone or having more than one phone
• Have lots of new phone numbers, texts or email addresses on their mobile phone, laptop or tablet.
• Suddenly leaving the house after receiving a text message or phone call
• Dressing in a highly sexualised way
• Lack of self care, looking unkempt and desheveled or trying to make themselves unattractive
• Pregnancy