Most states in the U.S. require that school employees report suspicions of sexual abuse of children in their schools. The law mandates that both private and public school employees report the behavior. While New Jersey, Wyoming, and Indiana do not enforce these requirements, they do require anyone to report any suspicion of abuse, regardless of their job or profession.
So, what should you look for if you believe that abuse is occurring?
Taking the Proper Action
If you are a parent and witness the following behaviors, you should take action. Even if you are not totally sure, you still need to be proactive.
- Any inappropriate communication by a school employee toward a child, such as texts, social media comments, and phone calls
- Preferential treatment by a coach or teacher
- Giving improper and costly gifts
If a teacher invites himself or herself to your home or attempts to befriend you, watch out! They may be acting this way to undermine your child’s credibility. If they tell a child about their own personal problems that is also an indicator of the threat of abuse.
Therefore, noticing warning signs of abuse does not only fall on the shoulders of teachers and school employees, it also extends to parents and anyone who oversees a child’s welfare. You should also take note of physical or behavioral problems that may be associated with child sexual abuse.
Signs of Abuse in Younger Children
Younger children who are in the lower grades at school may show certain behavioral changes if they have been sexually abused. You may also discover physical signs that are quite disturbing.
Behavioral Signs of Abuse
For example, some children might behave, as follows:
- Act quieter than what is normal
- Cry for no apparent reason
- Wet his or her bed
- Seem angry for no real reason
- Complain of a sore stomach or headache with no apparent underlying cause
- Ask questions, such as “Do some people keep secrets?”
- Seem too clingy
- Experience ongoing nightmares
- Start having problems academically
Physical Signs of Abuse
Physical signs may include the following:
- Swelling in the genital area
- Pain while going to the bathroom
- Difficulty with sitting or walking
- Bruising on the thighs or hips
- Urinary tract infections
Teens who may be experiencing sexual abuse may also get angry without reason or begin to dress differently. Some abuse victims may wear or carry items that are high-priced or you haven’t seen. Teens may lash out by driving erratically or spending time secretly online. Others may eat too much or eat very little part of the time.
Abused teens may also change friendships or avoid certain places or people. They may experience problems with schoolwork like their younger counterparts. They often have the same physical signs of abuse as younger children do.
Reporting an Abuse Problem
If you notice things simply are not right, you need to report your findings to the police right away. Any inference that leads to abuse should be investigated as well. Take your child out of the situation immediately. If this means homeschooling your child, so be it. He or she should not be subject to any environment where abuse may be suspected.
In Summation: Why You Should Also Contact a Lawyer
It is also important to contact a lawyer about the situation as soon as possible. If you have the current details, so much the better as you can relate the details with more clarity. Do all you can to protect your child. See where you stand legally and personally. After speaking to law enforcement, contact an attorney to learn more about your rights and how to proceed.