Signs sometimes shown by children who have been abused

Children may have some of the following symptoms as a result of abuse:

• Nausea/upset stomach
• Crying
• Changes in sleep patterns
• Withdrawal from others
• Clinging to parents
• Change in school performance
• Sexually inappropriate behavior
• Lying
• Change is appetite
• Nightmares
• Anger and mood changes
• Avoidance of school/friends
• Aggressiveness
• Rebelliousness
• Fears and phobias
• Attention-seeking

The Children’s Advocacy Center and other community agencies offer services to help your child overcome the effects of trauma. Children react differently depending on age, extent of abuse, and their relationship with the offender. The single most important factor affecting the child’s recovery is the level of support from the caregiver. It is this simple. If you do everything you can to support the child, the chances of recovery are much greater.