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• Person appears withdrawn, depressed, or stressed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.