Children's concepts can be very different from adults. Answer questions fully for the age level of the child. Problem-solving games, story telling and role playing are ways to talk to children. At a minimum, children should be taught to say no, to run away and tell a trusted adult, and to keep telling until someone helps them. Discuss with them whom they can trust.
Parents are responsible for noticing symptoms of abuse.
Recurrent nightmares, disturbed sleep patterns or fear of the dark. Returning to more infantile behavior such as betwetting, thumb sucking or excessive crying. Torn or stained underclothing. Vaginal or rectal bleeding, pain, itching, swollen genitals, vaginal discharge or sexually transmitted diseases. Unusual interest in or knowledge of sexual matters, expressing affection in ways inappropriate for a child of that age.