Sexually abused child victims have been sexualized by the experience in such a way that it alters sexual development and sexual behavior patterns. Some children develop sexually inappropriate behaviors, one of the
warning signs that a child has experienced sexual abuse.
Sexually inappropriate behaviors include:
- Sexual behaviors that are different from those normal for the age of the child
- Behaviors that indicate the child has adult-level knowledge of sexual activities
- Non-response to repeated requests to stop the sexual behaviors
- Sexual behaviors in public after the child has been told these are not acceptable
- Other children complaining of the sexual behaviors of the child
- An element of force or pain involved in the sexual behavior with other children
- Sexual behaviors that involve pain or discomfort to the child
- Sexualizing non-sexual objects
- Anger associated with sexual behavior
- Use of bribery or threat with sexual behaviors
- Attempting sexual behaviors with adults who are uncomfortable with them
- Seductiveness with adults
- Unusual affection-seeking
- Sexual contact with an animal
- Promiscuity in adolescence
- Juvenile prostitution