Abnormal Behaviors That Could Indicate Abuse

Looking for the Warning Signs in Children

Nov 21, 2009 Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch

Certain sexualized behaviors can be warning signs of abuse in children.

Human beings as a whole are sexual creatures. Even during developmental years, children can show some sexual tendencies. But when are they age-appropriate and do some behaviors indicate something else? Stop It Now, a non-profit dedicated to ending child abuse, notes what sexual behaviors are common among certain age groups, and which behaviors can be red flags. If you are worried about possible child abuse, the Child Welfare Information Gateway has resources for each state.

Infant to Five-Year Old Children

During the early years of a child's life, he or she will have questions about gender and about the different private parts of men and women. Describing these differences in age appropriate terms is important to help the child understand. A child in this age group may be interested in looking at his or her own genitals; exploring the genitalia and discovering pleasure is also a common sexual behavior, according to Stop It Now.

However, red flags during this age group are the child expressing knowledge of particular sexual acts or language, especially if this is information that has not come up in conversation before with the parents. Another warning sign is if the child tries to or actually engages in “adult-like sexual contact” with other children.

Six to Eight-Year Old Children

With children who are between six and eight years old, more questions arise about physical development and sexual behavior. The child will continue to explore self-stimulation. Stop It Now notes that it is common behavior for children in this age group to experiment with other children of the same age and gender, usually manifested as a game or role-playing. The organization further explains in these bullet points:

• “The sexual play is between children who have an ongoing mutually enjoyable play and/or school friendship.
• The sexual play is between children of similar size, age, and social and emotional development.
• It is lighthearted and spontaneous. The children may be giggling and having fun when you discover them.
• When adults set limits (for example, children keep their clothes on at day care), children are able to follow the rules.” (Stop It Now)

If the behavior deviates from this, it could be a warning sign of child abuse. For example, if a child attempts more mature sexual interactions while playing is not common behavior. At this age, it is still abnormal for the child to have knowledge of explicit sexual acts. Parents should be worried if their child behaves sexually in public, on the phone or on the Internet.

Nine to Twelve-Year Old Children

When children reach the ages of nine through 12, their knowledge of sexuality has increased. Questions may be posed to parents about sexual materials (like condoms and birth control) and behavior. The child may also use sexual words and discuss sexual acts. Self-stimulation in private is common, as well as increasing experimentation with sexual behaviors and relationships.

Warning signs during this age group are behaving sexually in public, as well as regularly occurring “adult-like sexual behaviors.” Other warning signs as the child gets older include self-injury, sexual promiscuity, depression, anxiety and eating disorders. The child may also have problems getting close to people, and may run away from home. If you suspect something has happened, seek help.

The copyright of the article Abnormal Behaviors That Could Indicate Abuse in Abuse is owned by Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch. Permission to republish Abnormal Behaviors That Could Indicate Abuse in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Look for the Warning Signs of Child Abuse