Very low self-esteem, with an inability to accept praise or to trust Lack of any sense of fun, over-serious or apathetic Excessive clingy or attention seeking behaviour Over-anxiety, either watchful and constantly checking or over-anxious to please Developmental delay, especially in speech Substantial failure to reach potential in learning, linked with lack of confidence, poor concentration and lack of pride in achievement Self-harming, compulsive rituals, stereotypic repetitive behaviour Unusual pattern of response to others showing emotions 4.5 Sexual abuse: involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children. Signs and Symptoms of Sexual abuse: Sexual abuse often presents itself in a veiled way. Although some child victims have obvious genital injuries, a sexually transmitted disease or are pregnant, relatively few show such obvious signs. Recognition of sexual abuse generally follows either a direct statement from the child (or very occasionally from the abuser), or more often, suspicion based on the child's circumstances, behaviour, or physical symptoms or signs. The following list of commonly observed indicators is not exhaustive and there may be situations where none of them is present, even though a child is known to have been abused sexually. Equally, even if some are present it may also not be definitive of sexual abuse. These physical signs should alert professionals to the possibility of abuse. Suspicion increases where several features are present together. Physical manifestations: Sexually transmitted diseases Pregnancy (especially in younger girls or when identity of father is uncertain) Genital lacerations or bruising
Very low self-esteem, with an inability to accept praise or to trust Lack of any sense of fun, over-serious or apathetic Excessive clingy or attention seeking behaviour Over-anxiety, either watchful and constantly checking or over-anxious to please Developmental delay, especially in speech Substantial failure to reach potential in learning, linked with lack of confidence, poor concentration and lack of pride in achievement Self-harming, compulsive rituals, stereotypic repetitive behaviour Unusual pattern of response to others showing emotions 4.5 Sexual abuse: involves forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, not necessarily involving a high level of violence, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact, including assault by penetration (for example rape or oral sex) or non-penetrative acts such as masturbation, kissing, rubbing and touching outside of clothing. They may also include non-contact activities, such as involving children in looking at, or in the production of, sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, or grooming a child in preparation for abuse (including via the internet). Sexual abuse is not solely perpetrated by adult males. Women can also commit acts of sexual abuse, as can other children. Signs and Symptoms of Sexual abuse: Sexual abuse often presents itself in a veiled way. Although some child victims have obvious genital injuries, a sexually transmitted disease or are pregnant, relatively few show such obvious signs. Recognition of sexual abuse generally follows either a direct statement from the child (or very occasionally from the abuser), or more often, suspicion based on the child's circumstances, behaviour, or physical symptoms or signs. The following list of commonly observed indicators is not exhaustive and there may be situations where none of them is present, even though a child is known to have been abused sexually. Equally, even if some are present it may also not be definitive of sexual abuse. These physical signs should alert professionals to the possibility of abuse. Suspicion increases where several features are present together. Physical manifestations: Sexually transmitted diseases Pregnancy (especially in younger girls or when identity of father is uncertain) Genital lacerations or bruising
OHS-Safeguarding-Policy-Sept-2017.docx