Sex Offender Search

Links and Resources

• Things to Know
• Behaviors to Watch
• Talking to Children
• Warning Signs
• PDF for Parents
• PDF for Children

Behavioral and Physical Warning Signs that a Child has been Abused:

Any single sign does not mean that the child was abused. Some of the behaviors below can show up during stressful times in a child's life, as well as when abuse occurs. If you see several of these signs in a child you know well, please begin to ask questions.

• Nightmares, trouble sleeping, fear of the dark, or other sleeping problems.
• Extreme fear of "monsters".
• Spacing out at times.
• Loss of appetite, or trouble eating or swallowing.
• Sudden mood swings: rage, fear, anger, or withdraw.
• Fear of certain people or places. For example: a child may not want to be left alone with a baby-sitter, a friend, a relative, or some other child or adult; or a child who is usually talkative and cheery may become quiet and distant when around a certain person.
• Stomach illness all of the time with no identifiable reason.
• An older child behaving like a younger child, such as bed-wetting or thumb-sucking.
• Sexual activities with toys or other children, such as simulating sex with dolls or asking other children / siblings to behave sexually.
• New words for private body parts.
• Refusing to talk about a "secret" he or she has with an adult or older child.
• Talking about a new older friend.
• Suddenly having money.
• Cutting or burning herself or himself as an adolescent.