Austin Child Sexual Abuse Lawyer

Child sexual abuse includes any kind of sexual contact or behavior involving a minor. This might include flashing, touching, forcing the child to touch, showing sexual images, and any kind of sexual action involving the child. This type of abuse is incredibly damaging, and that damage often leaves signs. Child sex abuse victims may show the following symptoms:

• Changes in behavior
• Sexually transmitted diseases
• Injuries to the genitals
• Excessive understanding or talking about sexual topics
• Not wanting to be left alone with specific people
• Not wanting to be without a specific caregiver
• Regressing to younger behaviors, such as thumbsucking
• Inappropriate sexual behaviors

These are only some of the many signs a child may be being sexually abused. If you have any reason to think a child may be being sexually abused, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. If you have reason to believe a child is in immediate danger, call 911.

While any adult has the technical capacity to sexually abuse a child, some groups are more likely to be perpetrators in child sexual abuse cases. This is because of their greater level of access, authority, and control. Common perpetrators of child sexual abuse include:

• Parents and relatives
• Family friends
• Teachers
• Coaches
• Clergy members
• Babysitters

Sexual predators take advantage of their access to children to commit acts of sexual abuse. Always take care considering who you allow to be alone with your children.