How do you know if your child is being sexually abused? Here are the warning signs
Posted with permission from
By Laura Hensley National Online Journalist, Smart Living  Global News

THESE ARE A FEW PARAGRAPHS FROM LAURA'S FULL ARTICLE WHICH YOU CAN VIEW
ON GLOBAL NEWS

According to Dr. Jillian Roberts a child psychologist and associate professor at the University of Victoria, it’s not uncommon for survivors to keep childhood sexual abuse a secret.
“I believe that many, many people are abused without telling anyone,” Roberts told Global News. “Sexual abuse still has a stigma in our society.”

Because of the painful nature of abuse, Roberts says there are important warning signs adults should pay attention to that may indicate a child is in danger. “A child who is experiencing sexual abuse would likely show you some red flags in their behaviour,” she explained.
“[Their] behaviour can quickly change.”

According to RAINN, child sexual abuse can include sexual contact with a child, but also includes other behaviour, “like exposing oneself, sharing obscene images, or taking inappropriate photos or videos of a child.”
The organization states sexual abuse not only has an immediate impact on a child, but also their development, and can affect them into adulthood. Because sexual abuse can be very traumatizing, Roberts says that if a child is being harmed, their demenour may change.
“A child may become sullen and withdrawn or they may act out,” she explained.
“The child may [also] recreate the trauma in their play, and so you might see sexual themes in their play or the child might be trying to ‘play’ with another child in an inappropriate way.”
Other times, Roberts says a child will become preoccupied with their genital area.

Reporting Child Abuse Helpline Number

Call the Helpline for Children when you have a concern about the safety and well-being of a child at 310-1234. 310-1234.

This is a toll free number. It is a local telephone number anywhere in the province.

Duty to report abuse or suspected abuse

Anyone who has reason to believe that a child has been or is likely to be abused or neglected has a legal duty under the Child, Family and Community Service Act to report the matter.

How to report

Report to a child protection social worker in either a Ministry of Children and Family Development office, or a First Nations child welfare agency that provides child protection services.

• Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., call your MCFD Local Service Area office.  You will find a list of offices here: http://www.mcf.gov.bc.ca/sda/contacts.htm.
  
  *If you need assistance locating any MCFD office, you can call the Client Relations Branch at 250 387-7027, or toll free at 1 877 387-7027.*
  
• Monday to Friday, 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. and all day Saturday, Sunday and on statutory holidays, call the Helpline for Children. Dial 310-1234 (no area code needed).

After Hours Line
For emergencies outside office hours (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday).

• Vancouver, North Shore Richmond, call 604 660-4927
• Lower Mainland, Burnaby, Delta, Maple Ridge, Langley, call 604 660-8180
• For the rest of the province, call toll-free 1 800 663-9122

Foster Families' Support Line - After Hours call 1 888 495-4440

4:00 p.m. - 12:45 a.m., Monday to Friday
8:00 a.m. - 12:45 a.m. statutory holidays and weekends

If you have a concern relating to a child in your care during regular office hours, please contact the child's social worker or your own support worker.

What to report
You need not have details or proof prior to calling. But you will be asked for as much information about the concern as you can provide. This will include;

• Your name and phone number (although you may call anonymously if you prefer)
• relationship to child
• any immediate concerns about the child's safety;
• the location of the child;
• the child's age;
• information on the situation including all physical and behavioural indicators observed;
• information about the family, parents and alleged offenders;
• the nature of the child's disabilities, if any;
• the name of a key support person;
• other child(ren) who may be affected;
• information about other persons or agencies closely involved with the child and/or family;
• and any other relevant information concerning the child and/or family such as language and culture.
• 
  

After you report
The child protection social worker will:

• determine if the child needs protection;
• contact the police if a criminal investigation is required;
• coordinate a response with other agencies, if necessary.

If a child is in immediate danger, police should be called to intervene and a child protection social worker should be contacted to determine whether the child is in need of protection

Child Abuse is Wrong: What Can I Do?

To the reader

What is child abuse?

Physical abuse

Child discipline

Sexual abuse

Emotional abuse

Neglect

When a parent abducts their child

Violence based on so-called honour

Forced marriage

Female genital mutilation

Signs of abuse

How do I report abuse?

Who can help?

Words used in this booklet

OTHER LINKS

Reports and Publications

Corporate Publications

Criminal Justice

Family Law

Aboriginal Communities

Funding

Canada's System of Justice

JustResearch

Other

Information for Children and Youth

This website is for you. You can use it to find out more about family violence and the law in Canada.

    Are you 10 to 12?          Are you 13 and up?

WHAT IS FAMILY VIOLENCE