A Philadelphia Lawyer for Sexual Abuse Victims Explains Warning Signs a Child Has Been Sexually Assaulted
The most common fear of a parent is something happening to their child. Keeping their children safe is a parent’s top priority. If you feel that something is going on with your child, it is important that you follow your intuition. Children show a variety of signs when something is occurring in their life and it is important to pay attention.
If your child has been a victim of sexual assault, contact a Philadelphia lawyer for sexual abuse victims at Wieand Law Firm. Protecting your child and trying to ensure there is justice for their sexual assault is our top priority. Our team has extensive legal experience in sexual assault cases and we will use that expertise for your family’s benefit.
Physical Signs
Many children who are victims of sexual assault do not have any physical symptoms. However, if your child has bruises they can’t explain, bleeding, sores, or redness around their mouth, genitals, or anus, it is recommended to bring them into a doctor for a physical exam. If you see physical signs and believe your child has been sexually assaulted, you need to bring your child to a medical facility and have a Sexual Assault Nurse Exam (SANE) performed so the child can be examined and any evidence could potentially be collected.
Other Signs
Aside from physical signs of assault, there could be other concerning signs a child shows. Examples of other signs would be if they start talking about a special friend, say they are keeping a secret with an adult or older child, or coming home with random gifts or money. A Philadelphia lawyer for sexual abuse victims knows that one way a perpetrator tests a child to see if they will speak out if they are assaulted is by starting a relationship with them. This means the adult or older child starts by paying more attention to the child, giving them presents, or telling the child secrets and seeing their reactions. If you are able to recognize these signs early enough, you may be able to prevent a child from being sexually assaulted.
Even When Asked, Children May Not Tell
Something that is often hard for parents to understand is that when a parent directly asks their child if they have been sexually assaulted, their children could say they were not even if they were. Research has found that most children who are sexually assaulted do not tell an adult until they are much older. Some reasons for this include:
- The child might not realize what occurred was sexual assault
- They might believe it is their fault
- The perpetrator may have told them they will get in trouble
- The perpetrator may have threatened the child or a loved one
- The child might feel embarrassed or guilty
- The child might think what happened is normal or that everyone has it happen
If you believe your child has been sexually assaulted, it is important to keep digging until you find the answer to your questions. If your child has been sexually assaulted, you should contact a Philadelphia lawyer for sexual abuse victims at Wieand Law Firm. Going through a personal injury case is a trying time and you deserve to have someone on your side throughout the process. Contact us today to schedule a free and confidential consultation.
