Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse includes: rape, indecent exposure, sexual harassment, inappropriate looking or touching, sexual teasing or innuendo, sexual photography, subjection to pornography or witnessing sexual acts.

Possible indicators of sexual abuse

• Significant change in sexual behaviour or attitude.
• Pregnancy in a woman who is unable to consent to sexual intercourse.
• Changes to urinary continence or soiling.
• Poor concentration.
• Person appears withdrawn, depressed, or stressed.
• Unusual difficulty or sensitivity in walking or sitting.
• Torn, stained or bloody underclothing.
• Bruises, bleeding, pain or itching in genital area.
• Sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract or vaginal infection.
• Bruising to thighs, upper arms, or neck, or ‘love bites’.
• Self-harming behaviour.
• Showing signs of fear or emotional distress
• Bruises around the breasts or genital areas.
• Unexplained sexually transmitted infections.
• Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding.
• Torn, stained or bloody underclothing.
• Inappropriate displays of physical affection or sexual touching by a care provider.
• The adult who needs care and support telling you they have been sexually assaulted, raped or forced to engage in sexual activity to which they have not consented.