Recognize the Symptoms

Victims with a history of sexual abuse will often present secondary symptoms before the abuse is uncovered. It is important that these symptoms be recognized as a possible reaction to something greater than the symptomatic condition itself.

Some of the behaviors and symptoms exhibited by victims of child sexual abuse are:

  • Trouble sleeping/ or excessive sleeping
  • Nightmares
  • Discomfort around children that are the same age as when the child was themselves abused
  • Panic and/or anxiety attacks
  • Sexual Promiscuity
  • Sexual acting out
  • Sexual problems or disinterest in sex
  • Discomfort with people that are the same gender as their abuser
  • Lack of memory of being a child or missing large blocks of their childhood
  • A hunch or intuition that sexual abuse occurred
  • A pervasive feeling of powerlessness
  • Suicide attempts or strong suicidal wishes
  • Depression
  • Drug/Alcohol addiction
  • Self Hatred
  • Self Mutilation
  • Repeated victimization such as rape or domestic violence
  • Unexplained physical or emotional numbness
  • Lack of trust
  • Shame
  • People pleasing/rescuing at an early age
  • Excessive need to control
  • Obsessive/compulsive behavior patterns
  • Low self-esteem/needy
  • Weak boundaries
  • Unhealthy choices in members of the opposite sex
  • Neurotic tendencies
  • Eating disorders
  • Chronic illness
  • Manic-depressive behavior (extreme emotions)