Child Sexual Abuse Toolkit Archive - Wakefield Safeguarding Knowledge Hub

Signs & Indicators

Unfortunately, child sexual abuse is a very common type of harm. It causes deep distress for the child involved and can long term impact on their health and well-being.

Practitioners working with children and families play a vital role in identifying and responding to child sexual abuse, particularly when it occurs within the family environment. Due to the complex dynamics of familial relationships and the potential for secrecy or manipulation, signs of abuse may be subtle or easily overlooked.

This page is designed to support practitioners in recognising behavioural, emotional, and physical indicators that may suggest abuse. By enhancing professional awareness and understanding, we can strengthen safeguarding practices and ensure timely, appropriate interventions that protect children and promote their recovery.

Child Sexual Abuse

Working Together to Safeguard Children defines sexual abuse as behaviour which:

‘Involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening.

The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example, rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse.

Sexual abuse can take place online, and technology can be used to facilitate offline abuse.

Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children.’

Physical signs a child is being sexually abused

Avoiding the abuser – the child may dislike or seem afraid of a particular person and try to avoid spending time alone with them.
Unexplained Injuries, including difficulty sitting or walking – the child may have injuries or pain they can’t explain.
Physical problems – the child may develop health problems, including soreness in the genital and anal areas, frequent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) or sexually transmitted infections, or they may become pregnant.
Problems at school – an abused child may have difficulty concentrating and learning, and their grades may start to drop.
Giving clues – children may also drop hints and clues that the abuse is happening without revealing it outright.

Emotional and behavioural signs a child is being sexually abused

Changes in behaviour – a child may start being aggressive, withdrawn, clingy, or anxious.
Sexually inappropriate behaviour or language– children who have been abused may behave in sexually inappropriate ways or use sexually explicit language.
Nightmares or sleep disturbances – a child may have difficulties sleeping, have regular nightmares or start wetting the bed.
Self-harm or suicidal thoughts – children may talk about harming themselves, or show signs of having done so
Regression to younger behaviours – a child may start thumb sucking or develop clinginess
Fear or avoidance of a specific person – a child might try to avoid a particular adult or show fear towards someone
Excessive secrecy or reluctance to talk – a child may appear withdrawn, not wanting to communicate or talk to others

Worries and barriers children who have been abused may have

Not being believed
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– Children may worry that adults will dismiss their disclosure or accuse them of lying.

– Children may be bribed or threatened by their abuser, or told they will not be believed.
Feelings of shame, guilt or confusion
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– Children may not disclose sexual abuse due to feelings of guilt, shame, or confusion – often believing they are to blame, or having been manipulated by the perpetrator into thinking the abuse is normal or a “special secret.

– A child might blame themselves for the abuse or feel embarrassed about what has happened.
Loyalty to the abuser and fear of getting them in trouble
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– A child who is experiencing sexual abuse may still have strong emotional bonds and care deeply for the abuser. This means children feel conflicted about disclosing the abuse.

– Children will often fear the consequences for the individual or worry about causing trouble within the family.
Fear of consequences
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– A child who is or has been sexually abused may be afraid of family breakdown, being removed from the home, or retaliation from the abuser.
Threats or manipulation
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– Abusers may use intimidation, threats, or emotional coercion to silence the child they are harming.
Confusion about what is happening
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– Younger children in particular may not understand that what they are experiencing is abuse, especially if the abuser has framed it as a game, secret, or something normal.
Protecting others
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– Some children worry that disclosing the abuse will upset or harm other family members, especially siblings or non-offending parents.

Making Noise: children’s voices after sexual abuse

Produced by The International Centre, University of Bedfordshire, and in collaboration with the NSPCC

Making Noise is a project which puts the focus on children voices for positive change after sexual abuse.

Long term effects of Child Sexual Abuse

Longer term, children who have been sexually abused are more likely to suffer with:

Depression & Anxiety – These often emerge in adolescence or adulthood, sometimes years after the abuse
Eating Disorders – Disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder are strongly linked to sexual abuse
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – Flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance are common
Disrupted Attachment & Trust – Abuse by a trusted caregiver or relative can severely impair the ability to form healthy relationships
Shame & Guilt – Survivors may internalize blame, especially if the abuse was minimized or denied by other family members
Low Self-Esteem – Many survivors struggle with feelings of worthlessness or being “damaged”
Isolation or Overdependence – Survivors may withdraw from others or become overly reliant on relationships, fearing abandonment
Revictimization – Survivors are at increased risk of experiencing further abuse in adulthood