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Physical
Indicators
About CSA
Who can be an Abuser
Effects of CSA
Myths and Facts
Following are
the sexual indicators:
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Itching,
soreness, discharge or unexplained bleeding in the genital area.
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Recurrent
urinary tract infections.
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Sexually
transmitted diseases.
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Pregnancy.
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Bruises, bite
marks or other injuries to breasts, buttocks, lower abdomen or
thighs
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Powerlessness: Due to the imbalanced power dynamics of
sexual abuse tilted in favor of the abuser, the child
experiences a sense of powerlessness. A sense of powerlessness
induces both perceptions of vulnerability and a desire to
control. Consequent behavior may involve aggression and
exploitation of others. Similarly, the victim may also exhibit
the effects of vulnerability by avoidant responses, such as
running away, anxiety, sleeping and eating problems.
Apart from these
behavioral and physical indications there are some sexual
indicators as well. If these are found in the child then there is
a high-probability of the child being or having been sexually
abused since these represent precocious sexual knowledge not
ordinarily possessed by young children. (Kathleen Coulborn Faller,
Child Sexual Abuse: Intervention and Treatment issues, 1993, p.25)
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