Physical
signs include:
-Irritated or reddened genitals, itching of genitals
or anus
-Pain or injury to the areas of the genitals or the
mouth
-Vaginal or penile discharge
-Urinary infection, difficulty with urination
-Unusual and offensive odors
-Venereal disease. It is not true that children can
catch venereal disease through nonsexual means. Presence
of venereal disease in children always means there
has been sexual contact with an infected adult or
older child.
-Pregnancy
Changes
in behavior include:
-Reluctance or fear of a person or of certain places,
such as showers and washrooms
-Clinging, anxious, irritable behavior
-Regression to babyish habits, such as thumb-sucking
-Sudden self-consciousness about genitals
-Fearful behavior toward examination of the mouth
-Sudden interest in genitals of others, sexual acts,
and terminology
-Sexual behavior that's inappropriate for the age
of the child, such as a young child "french kissing"
-Acting out sexual or abusive behavior with toys,
animals, or people
-Nightmares, bedwetting, fear or dark, difficulty
falling asleep, new fears
-Increase or decrease in appetite
-Drawings that are scary or use a lot of black and
red
-Vehement over-reaction when the child is questioned
about whether he or she was touched
