You send your child to school to get a good education, but how is it that some children are sexually assaulted by a teacher? What can you do to prevent this tragedy from happening to your child? Chances are your child won’t come up to you and let you know that there is an issue with one of their teachers. However, there are signs to be aware of indicating there may be a problem.
Signs of Sexual Abuse
When something is amiss with kids, one of the first signs is a change in demeanor. Some kids will withdraw. Others may act out. Here are other signs to look for:
- Mood swings A generally happy-go-lucky child may experience mood swings or have episodes of insecurity. He or she may become uncharacteristically withdrawn.
- Loss of appetite If your child refuses eat, gags easily or has trouble swallowing, it could be a sign of sexual abuse.
- Refusal to be hugged or touched Many kids are affectionate by nature, but if your child becomes less affectionate than usual, it could be a red flag.
- Displays knowledge of adult sexual behaviors or language – Kids only know about those things that they have been exposed to. If your child knows more about adult sexual behaviors that what is considered age-appropriate, be alerted.
- Draws, writes, dreams or talks about sexual acts or frightening images Again, these are things that children should not know about unless they have been exposed to them.
- Sees their body or themselves as “bad” or “dirty” Generally kids have a decent view of themselves until something happens that makes them feel otherwise.
- Running away Older kids may run away from home in order to avoid problems at school.
- Substance abuse Some young people may turn to drugs or alcohol to self-medicate rather than talk about the abuse.
- Changes in personal care Teens may stop caring about their physical appearance. They may also begin to eat compulsively or diet obsessively.
- Suicide attempts Never take any attempt at suicide lightly.
Misconduct and sexual abuse among educators is very concerning. There are things parents can do to help their children. Stop Educator Sexual Abuse, Misconduct & Exploitation (SESAME) is an organization that may be able to help if your child is experiencing sexual abuse from a teacher.
Protecting our children from sexual predators can be challenging. Compassionate legal representation is valued in traumatic cases such as sexual abuse against a child. The attorneys at Maison Law will stand by you and your family in cases of personal injury. Contact us for a consultation. We serve Central Valley residents and our main office is located in Visalia, CA.
