1 in every 5 girls will be abused; know the signs

Published: April 24, 2017 | Updated: October 12, 2022

***The following contains graphic details***

It’s a tragic experience I’ll never forget.

When I was a med student, I saw a 4-year-old girl with a large tear in her vagina that required extensive surgery. The family said the child fell on the top of a plunger. The examination proved otherwise. The mother’s boyfriend ended up being charged and prosecuted for sexually abusing the poor girl.

She’s not the only one I’ve seen – not even close. Since becoming a pediatrician, I’ve collected evidence from young victims’ bodies, pulled hair from their heads and other areas, and taken pictures of marks and bruises. I’ve tested children for life-altering STDs. I’ve testified in court, fearful that every word that came out of my mouth was doing more harm than good.

Sex abuse is more common than we think. According to the National Crime Victims Survey, one in every five girls and one in every 10 boys will be sexually abused in their lifetime. We’re talking hundreds of thousands of victims. More than likely there are some in your neighborhood.

What’s even scarier is this epidemic goes largely undetected. Only 5 percent to 15 percent of children ever tell anyone the abuse is happening. Most perpetrators will never be caught because no one will ever expose them.

I’m not telling this to scare you but to explain why it’s so important to know the warning signs. Sex abuse often happens because most adults don’t know what to look for and don’t want to believe it.

The perpetrators are resourceful. They target specific children, families, job opportunities and communities where they have access to a large number of children. They gain the trust of the family so if a child ever tells on them, it will be incredibly hard for someone to believe the child, even though the instances of children making up sex abuse stories are extremely small.

How can you protect your child?

Tips on how to prevent sex abuse

• Talk to your child about how it’s not OK for someone to ask to see, touch or take pictures of your child’s genitals.
• Set age-appropriate limits for TV, radio, music, games and internet access.
• Monitor your child’s social media and internet use. Consider not allowing your child to have internet access alone in their bedroom.
• Be aware of any adult who seems very interested in spending time with your child.
• Check the sex offender registry.

Signs of sex abuse in a child

• Increased sexualized behaviors, such as acting seductively or sexually through dolls or toys.
• More sexual knowledge beyond normal level of development.
• Sleep problems.
• Eating disorders, such as bulimia, anorexia or overeating.
• Bowel problems, such as soiling oneself.
• Sudden or unexplained personality changes, including aggression, fear and depression.
• Thoughts of or talking about suicide.
• Drop in school performance.
• Drug use.
• Running away from home.
• Resistance to spending time with a certain adult or asking to spend more time with them due to gifts and attention.

Dr. Frazier is a pediatrician at Norton Children’s Medical Group – Broadway and medical director of Norton Children’s Prevention & Wellness.