IS YOUR CHILD A VICTIM OF SEXUAL ABUSE?
HOW YOU CAN TELL
If your child has unfortunately become a victim of sexual abuse or even rape, she might just clam up and choose not to tell you. If she is a pre-teen or a teenager, she might confide in her friends, so she might just tell them about her problems, and you may be left in the dark.
But there are some tell-tale signs, that could indicate that there is something seriously wrong, and that your child needs your help:
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She acts different. Sometimes, your gut instincts telling you that there is something wrong may be your best judge.
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Her appetite goes down considerably.
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She has trouble sleeping.
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She turns into an introvert, withdrawing from friends and family.
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She starts acting anxious and more so when she has to stay alone.
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She is diffident and not very confident when it comes to concentrating in school activities or on her studies.
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She seems confused and frightened.
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She gets angry at the slightest pretext.
If you see any of these symptoms in your child, do not neglect them. They could be the effects of a some trauma, so it is best not to ignore them and take suitable action immediately. But the first thing that you should do is to reach out to your child and let her know that you are there for her, come what has happened. This display of trust in your daughter will make her feel protected and give her the understanding that there is someone who is always there for her, and what’s more , stand as a rock, without being judgmental.
Try to probe gently and find out what the problem is. Talk to her as a friend does, and this can be done only if you do not adopt a ‘parenting’ tone but an attitude that tells her that it is okay to let go, and there are no threats involved.
If your daughter still does not confide in you and you are sure that there is some underlying stress or trauma, immediately seek the help of a counselor or a specialist who as a third party will be able to get to the root of the problem.
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