One of the most insidious aspects of sexual abuse is how difficult it can be even for close family members and friends of an abuse victim to know that anything is wrong in the first place. On top of the fact that abusers often go to great lengths to hide what they are doing and who they are doing it to, people targeted by those abusers may be unwilling or even unable to clearly communicate what they are going through, particularly if they are very young.
That said, there are some early warning signs of sexual abuse in Bridgeport that manifest fairly often in young people experiencing this type of mistreatment. If your child or someone else close to you is displaying several of these signs, you should strongly consider contacting local law enforcement for immediate assistance and then getting in touch with a sexual abuse lawyer from Berkowitz and Hanna, LLC to discuss possible legal action against the perpetrator(s).
While it is certainly not uncommon for minor children to suffer minor bumps and bruises with causes that are hard to identify, any soreness concentrated around intimate areas of the body may be cause for concern, particularly if it interferes with the child’s ability to walk or run normally. Likewise, difficult urination or bowel movements can be correlated with various innocuous childhood illnesses, but consistent pain, bleeding, and/or discharge from the genitals or anus are worth looking into further with a pediatrician.
One of the most common warning signs of sexual abuse among young children in Bridgeport is the child suddenly mimicking sexual behaviors or using sexual language inappropriate for their age group. Survivors of sexual abuse also may become quicker to anger, demonstrate sudden changes in personality, have trouble sleeping or deal with frequent nightmares, or regress to behaviors like bedwetting or thumbsucking.
In adolescents and teenagers, sudden access to financial resources not provided by a parent or relative can be a warning sign of sexual abuse. Small gifts like toys, phones, clothing, or jewelry may be coming from someone trying to facilitate or continue sexual misconduct, especially if they are expensive beyond the child’s means.
Adults engaging in the sexual abuse of children sometimes give off signs of their misconduct themselves. Not every adult who spends time alone with minor children or has a position of authority over them is guaranteed to be abusing them, but if an adult seems to spend time exclusively with younger children or manufactures excuses to constantly be alone with them, that may be cause for concern.
If you were not aware of all the common warning signs of sexual abuse in Bridgeport, you are far from alone, and you should not spend too much time wondering what you could have done differently in the past. The important thing now is to ensure any abuse that is ongoing stops as soon as possible, and then to protect your child’s future best interests by proactively taking legal action on their behalf.
A sexual abuse lawyer from Berkowitz and Hanna, LLC can provide the custom-tailored legal guidance you need to ensure your family gets justice. Call today for a confidential consultation.
Berkowitz Hanna
1087 Broad St
Bridgeport CT
06604
