Which statement describes a sign of sexual abuse?

Which statement describes a sign of sexual abuse?

• A. Frequent headaches
• B. No change in behavior
• C. Good sleep patterns
• D. Fear of being alone with a caregiver

Answer: (D)

A sign of sexual abuse is fear of being alone with a caregiver. When a child has been exploited or harmed by someone trusted, they may develop anxiety or reluctance specifically around that person, even if they’re otherwise comfortable with others. This fear can show up as crying, withdrawal, clinging, or avoidance whenever that caregiver is present or mentioned. It’s a red flag that calls for further, careful evaluation by a trained professional and, where required, a mandated report to the proper authorities. Frequent headaches can occur for many reasons—stress, tension, illness, or other factors—and aren’t specific to abuse by themselves. No change in behavior and good sleep patterns suggest the absence of distress or trauma signs in that moment, so they don’t point directly to sexual abuse.

A sign of sexual abuse is fear of being alone with a caregiver. When a child has been exploited or harmed by someone trusted, they may develop anxiety or reluctance specifically around that person, even if they’re otherwise comfortable with others. This fear can show up as crying, withdrawal, clinging, or avoidance whenever that caregiver is present or mentioned. It’s a red flag that calls for further, careful evaluation by a trained professional and, where required, a mandated report to the proper authorities.

Frequent headaches can occur for many reasons—stress, tension, illness, or other factors—and aren’t specific to abuse by themselves. No change in behavior and good sleep patterns suggest the absence of distress or trauma signs in that moment, so they don’t point directly to sexual abuse.