Sexual abuse is by far one of the most damaging and traumatizing experiences a child can go through. The effects of such abuse are often devastating and can seriously harm the child’s life if the recovery process isn’t handled with great care.
It will be paramount to the child’s recovery for him or her to begin seeing a mental health counselor who specializes in childhood sexual abuse. Victims need someone on their side who has experience in handling such a delicate situation.
If you are unsure of whether your child has been a victim of sexual abuse, continue reading to learn more about the physical and psychological symptoms of childhood sexual abuse.
Physical Symptoms
Children who have suffered sexual abuse will often have physical injuries that stem from the abuse, including unexplained bruises, evidence of self-harm, insomnia, sexually transmitted diseases, and even pregnancy.
Although these are all cause for concern, if you see just one of these signs, it may not always be a sign of sexual abuse. But if your child exhibits any concerning symptoms at all, you should have him or her see a doctor as soon as possible.
Emotional Problems
There are many physical signs of sexual abuse, but there are also countless emotional effects of child sex abuse.
These symptoms often include outbursts of anger, age regression (bedwetting or thumb-sucking, for example), nightmares, development of an eating disorder, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and becoming socially withdrawn or overly secretive.
Working with a mental health counselor or therapist can help your child overcome these effects and begin to move forward with life after childhood sexual abuse.
Reach Out to a Chicago Sexual Abuse Lawyer
If you believe your child has been a victim of child sexual abuse and you want to hold the abuser accountable for his or her unacceptable actions, reach out to a compassionate Chicago sexual abuse lawyer at Lane & Lane, LLC.
We provide free claim evaluations to prospective clients. You can schedule yours by filling out the online contact form at the bottom of this page or by calling our office at 312-332-1400.
