Do you suspect that a child has been a victim of sexual violence?
Did the incident occur within 72 hours?
If so…
- Do not wash or bath the child
- Report to a PATCH crisis centre or your closest health facility where an assessment and forensic examination can be carried out
- Report the incident to your closest police station
If not…
- Report to a PATCH crisis centre for therapeutic support;
- Report the incident to your closest police station
Recognising the signs of sexual abuse in children
The signs of sexual abuse in children can be physical and/or emotional.
Physical Signs
may include
- bruising
- bleeding
- redness and bumps, or scabs around the mouth
- genital or anus.
- urinary tract infections,
- sexually transmitted diseases, and
- abnormal vaginal or penile discharge are also warning signs.
Emotional Signs
may include:
- sleep disturbances
- including nightmares
- unusual fear of certain
- unusual fear of certain people or places;
- reluctance to be alone with a certain person
- changes in mood and/or attitude;
- lack of interest in friends, sports, or other activities
- poor self-esteem; avoidance of relationships
- self-mutilation or change in body perception, like thinking of self or body as dirty or bad
- suicidal thoughts
- regression to previously outgrown behaviors, for example bedwetting or thumb sucking
- too “perfect” behavior or overly compliant behavior
Get in Touch!
Are you interested in learning more about PATCH Helderberg and our work?
Please send us a message using the contact form here and we will be in touch.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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