Answerquestions fully for the age level of the child. Problem-solving game, story telling and role playing are ways to talk tochildren. At a minimum, children should be taught to say no, to run away and tell atrusted adults, 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 exhibita variety of physical and behavioral signals.
Parents are responsible fornoticing symptoms of abuse.
Any of these signs are significant. Changes in behavior such as withdrawal, fearfulness, crying withoutprovocation. Recurrent nightmares, disturbed sleep patterns, or fear of the dark. Regression to more infantile behavior such as bedwetting, thumb sucking,or excessive crying. Torn or stained underclothing.