Responding to signs of abuse
What can you do when a child discloses sexual abuse? Do you have questions about the reporting process? Are you worried about making false accusations? Learn when you should report suspected child sexual abuse. Get help and support when you're deciding your next steps after discovering a child has been sexually abused. Find out what's helpful when talking to a child who has disclosed abuse.
Behaviors between children
- Concerned about niece's safety around nephew.
- How can I advocate for children involved in school-based sexual incident in school?
- I am worried that my child is molesting other kids.
- I am worried that my daughter is being pressured into sexual activity, how do I talk to her?
- Is a certain type of sexual play between children considered a reportable offense?
- Is my 10 year-old son's sexual behavior a cause for concern?
- Is sexual touching in same age kids abuse?
- Is the behavior of my 3 year old son and his friend something to worry about?
- Is this little girl sexually harming another little girl?
- My 16 year old son sexually harmed my friend's younger daughter.
- My best friend’s child is abusing other kids.
- My brother with Down syndrome is touching other kids.
- My child's school didn't notify me of an incident, what can I do to make sure she's safe?
- My daughter said she was forced into getting hickeys at a slumber party, should I be worried?
- My daughter told me her half brother did sexual things to her, what is the best thing to do for both children?
- My daughter was sexual with a younger child.
- My neighbor’s son acted sexually inappropriately with his sister and my son.
- Parents want help to respond to daughter's sexual behaviors after she was sexually harmed by another child.
- Sexual touching between brothers.
- Should I be worried that my daughter's game of "truth or dare" included sexually aggressive behaviors?
- Should I worry about my son's claim that his older brother performed sexual acts on him?
- Should my daughter be alone with her brother?
- What is age appropriate touching between school-aged friends?
- What to do when two kindergartners play a “pants down” game at school?
- Will my abused nephew turn around and abuse his little brother?
Children who have been abused
- Can teenage boys be sexually "abused" by an older woman?
- Can therapy help my daughter recover from sexual abuse?
- Family doesn't believe abuse happened.
- How can I help my client when the system didn't respond?
- My daughter told me her dad abused her.
- My daughter told me her half brother did sexual things to her, what is the best thing to do for both children?
- Parent whose children were abused needs support.
- Parents want help to respond to daughter's sexual behaviors after she was sexually harmed by another child.
- What should be done for a speedy healing process?
- Will my abused nephew turn around and abuse his little brother?
Disclosure of abuse
- Concerned about niece's safety around nephew.
- How can I help my Spanish-speaking neighbor and her granddaughter?
- How do we know children rarely lie about abuse?
- I'm worried that daughter’s father will get custody.
- Is it common for the spouse of an alleged offender to defend them?
- My adult son was abused by his brother.
- My daughter told me her dad abused her.
- My son's friend disclosed his dad abused him, what do I do?
- Should I report abuse that occurred 10 years ago in China?
- What can youth do about adult making her uncomfortable?
- What do I say to a child who talks about being abused?
- What happens after the abuse is reported?
- What's the first step to take after abuse is suspected?
Reporting and investigations
- A 20 year old man has been soliciting my 11 year old son online.
- How can I help my client when the system didn't respond?
- How can I prevent my abuser from hurting another child?
- How do I report my neighbor for possibly abusing his child?
- I've reported my child's abuse, now what?
- My daughter told me her half brother did sexual things to her, what is the best thing to do for both children?
- Should I report abuse that occurred 10 years ago in China?
- What happens after the abuse is reported?
- What happens during an investigation?
- What should I do if I know a child was abused but I don’t want to tear apart the family by reporting?
- What's the first step to take after abuse is suspected?
Signs of child sexual abuse
- Am I overreacting to the attention my friend pays to my daughter?
- Are my husband's behaviors toward his granddaughter a red flag?
- Are the choir director’s behaviors sexually harassing?
- Can abuse happen without a physical element?
- Can my husband be more prone to sexually abuse our children if he is a victim of sexual abuse?
- Child acts differently around her grandfather.
- Could my boyfriend’s 2 ½ year old daughter's behaviors be a sign of sexual abuse?
- Do my daughter’s dreams mean she was sexually abused?
- How should I talk to my child if I suspect he is being abused?
- I can’t believe my sister would abuse my young son.
- I'm worried that daughter’s father will get custody.
- Is child in my daycare being sexually abused by her father?
- Is it usual and acceptable for a male psychologist to have closed sessions with a young female patient?
- Is my autistic son being sexually abused at school?
- Is my boyfriend sexually abusing my niece?
- Is my father-in-law abusing my toddler?
- Should I be concerned about my 11 year old daughter’s sudden change in behavior and drop in grades?
- Should I worry about my son's claim that his older brother performed sexual acts on him?
- What should I do about man staring at children as they leave school?
- What should I do if I know a child was abused but I don’t want to tear apart the family by reporting?
Talking with children and teens when concerned
- A 20 year old man has been soliciting my 11 year old son online.
- How do we know children rarely lie about abuse?
- How should I talk to my child if I suspect he is being abused?
- I am worried that my daughter is being pressured into sexual activity, how do I talk to her?
- My daughter said she was forced into getting hickeys at a slumber party, should I be worried?
- What do I do if my teen tries to date an adult?