3.2
We Care...
by knowing the types and signs of child abuse and neglect
Sexual Abuse or Exploitation
Defined by PA law as: Any act or failure to act* which causes nonaccidental sexual abuse or sexual exploitation of a child under the age of 18 years old. This includes the use of any child to engage in any sexually explicit conduct.
*Does not need to be recent to be required to report.
What it could look like:
While working with a middle school group at the art camp program on campus, you notice a boy being very disrespectful of the female mentors — making sexual remarks behind their backs, including things he claims he's done to girls in the past. You catch some of these comments through unintentional eavesdropping. You confront the boy about his behavior and use of words. In the midst of aggressively defending himself, he says, "My after-school babysitter taught me all about sex. She showed me videos. I know more than any of these kids do — and I'm sure I've done more, too!"
Signs of Sexual Abuse/Exploitation
These are some signs of sexual abuse/exploitation:
- Physical injury to the genitals
- Difficulty sitting or standing due to injuries
- Suspicious stains, blood, or semen on underwear, clothing, or the body
- Resistance to remove clothing at appropriate times
- Bladder or urinary tract infection
- Pain when going to the bathroom
- Bed wetting, thumb sucking, or loss of bowel control
- Difficulty swallowing
- Exhibiting signs of a sexually transmitted diseases or infection
- Unexplained sleep problems (sweats, terrors, nightmares)
- Age-inappropriate sexual knowledge and unusual/abnormal sexual behavior
including:
- Early, unexplained pregnancy
- Sexually acting out
- Initiating sophisticated sexual behaviors/dress
- Excessive masturbation
- Enticing other children into age inappropriate sexualized play
- Creating and playing out sexual scenarios with toys or dolls
- Regression in young children (i.e., thumb sucking, baby talk)