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. Observe Physical and Behavioral Signs Children who are too frightened to talk about sexual molestation may exhibit a variety of physical and behavioral signals.
Parents are responsible for noticing symptoms of abuse.
Recurrent nightmares, disturbed sleep patterns, fear of the dark. Regression to more infantile behavior such as bedwetting, 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.