The child may become withdrawn and mistrustful of adults and can become suicidal. Some children who have been sexually abused have difficulty relating to others except on sexual terms. Some sexually abused children become child abusers themselves or prostitutes, or they may have other serious problems when they reach adulthood. Often there are no physical signs of child abuse. Sometimes there are signs that only a physician can detect, such as changes in the genital or anal area.
Sexual abusers can make a child extremely fearful of telling anyone about the abuse.
Only when a special effort has helped the child to feel safe may the child be able to talk freely. If a child says that he or she has been molested, parents should stress that what happened was not the child's fault. Parents should seek a medical examination and possibly a psychiatric consultation. Teach children that respect does not mean blind obedience to adults and to authority. Don't tell children to always do everything the teacher or baby-sitter tells them to do.