In 2007-2008 55,120 Australians suffered from sexual abuse (AIHW 2009, p. 69). Now imagine how many victims would have been added to that total if they had reported their abuse?

Sexual abuse leaves children scared for life, that's if they haven't already contemplated suicide or have already

succeeded. That's not to say that many survivors of sexual abuse don't go on with great amounts of strength and courage to live a normal life.

This article is dedicated to helping parents look out for signs that their child or another child may have been sexually abused. Please keep in mind that some of these behaviours can be due to alternative reasons. If many of these signs keep popping up then perhaps it is time to have a think. But one thing I think we can all agree on is that these kinds of symptoms need assistance. This article is written from first-hand experience as well as observations from victims of sexual abuse.

Hiding: Many survivors of sexual abuse have reported hiding a lot as children. This ranges from keeping their emotions bottled up, hiding in the cupboard, under the bed (especially sleeping under their bed), or hide from life in general. Some children make up a fantasy world and prefer to live there instead.

Self harming: Ranging from self-cutting, burning, thoughts of suicide and suicide attempts.

Eating problems: Many sexual abuse victims stop eating, starve themselves or go on a food binge as a way to feel control over their lives. These can turn in to severe eating disorders.

Development: Young children may take a swing backwards in development, for example resorting back to thumb sucking, bed wetting, refusing to sleep.

Dependency: Sometimes children who experience sexual abuse develop strong attachments. They can quite often become anxious, clingy, not wanting to leave a safe adults side. Sometimes they even develop a dependency in friendships. For example a young girl may be ringing to play with your daughter 10 times a day or constantly over your house.

Cruelty to animals: If your child suddenly starts to mistreat your family pet. For example hitting the dog or trying to strangle the cat.

Behavioural problems: Your child may have a change in behaviour such as becoming highly aggressive towards other children or wanting to hurt, younger or smaller, more vulnerable children than themselves. Alternatively your child might have once been very talkative and confident and now all of a sudden has become very shy and withdrawn, socially isolating themselves. Perhaps there has been excessive crying? Some children threaten to run away from home and some put it in to action. You know your child's usual behaviour better than anyone. Is something abnormal?

School performance: Is there a dramatic change in your child's grades or behaviour in school?

Sexual content: Has your child suddenly started to draw sexual pictures?, wanting to watch nude people on tv/videos? Been caught trying to play "doctors and nurses" repeatedly?, touching another child or your family pet inappropriately? Sexual acting out is quite common as their sense of right and wrong has been distorted. Many children try to repeat the sexual action that has been done to them with other children. Or getting other children to repeat the offenders action on them. Please note that this doesn't make the child an offender nor does it mean they will grow to be an offender, it just means the child needs professional help asap.

Substance abuse: Abuse victims often try other methods of coping with the pain such as using illicit drugs, you may find more pain killer packets laying around the house or drinking a lot. Many sexual abuse victims report being admitted to hospital for drinking too much alcohol. Many get violent or verbally abusive when they drink.

Nightmares: I'm not talking about the casual nightmare what I'm referring to is the child who seems to be having nightmares every night of the week. Or ones who keep having reoccurring dreams for weeks or even months upon end. This can lead to extreme phobias of the dark or anything associated with the dark such as death. Sometimes it can be so severe your child could be suffering from Thanatophobia (morbid fear of death).

Triggers: Is there a certain activity, smell, feel, colour or even person etc that your child seems to abnormally react to?

Knowledge: Does your child have sexual knowledge beyond their age?

Unexplained rash: Your baby or toddler may have an unexplained rash, redness. itch, fluid or soreness around their genital area. If concerned get it checked out by a doctor. Especially if you find it odd that it only happens after your child comes home from a child care centre when a particular carer is on duty, or a particular family member babysits etc Unfortunately child abuse is quite often by someone you know!

Unfortunately sometimes there can be no symptoms at all but as a parent it is very important to trust your instincts!

Child protection is EVERYBODY'S business!

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2009). Child protection Australia 2007-08

www.aihw.gov.au/publications/index.cfm/title/10687