behavioural signs of sexual abuse
Last reviewed 01/2018
Possible behavioural features that might occur in childhood sexual abuse are vast and non-specific. These include:
- mood changes, tantrums, aggression
- insecurity, fear of men
- sleep and eating disorders
- anxiety, depression, despair
- withdrawal, secretiveness
- poor peer relationships
- lies,stealing,arson
- school failure, truancy
- running away from home
- unexplained money
- suicide attempts, self-poisoning, self-mutilation
- drug, solvent or alcohol abuse
- sexualised behaviour (see link)
sexualised behaviour in a child when maltreatment should be suspected