Sexual assault and abuse

Signs of sexual abuse may not be apparent without an examination of the genital area. These signs include:

• Bruises, scars, chafing, or bite marks in the genital area.
• Discharge or bleeding from the vagina.
• Rectal or genital bleeding.
• Anal tears or dilation.
• Symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (STI), such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, or HIV. These include vaginal or genital symptoms such as sores, warts, pain, or unusual discharge.

Abnormal vaginal bleeding may be caused by physical or sexual abuse that injures the abdominal or vaginal area. Vaginal bleeding in a child before the beginning of menstruation is abnormal. If a child has vaginal bleeding, talk to their doctor.

You may feel uneasy talking to the doctor about the issue of abuse, but it's important. Doctors have a professional duty and legal obligation to evaluate the possibility of abuse.

If you think your child has been sexually abused, call your child's doctor or contact the National Child Abuse Hotline and Referral Service at 1-800-422-4453. Adults need to protect young children because children cannot protect themselves.

If you feel threatened or need help right away, call 911.

• If you've been assaulted:
  • Call the police now, or call a health professional such as a doctor, nurse, or counselor.
  • Remember that the assault (rape) wasn't your fault.
  • Find a safe environment—anywhere away from the attacker.
  • Preserve evidence of the attack. Don't change your clothes, eat, drink, smoke, bathe, brush your teeth, or clean up in any way. Write down all the details about the attack and the attacker.
  • Get medical attention right away. To preserve evidence, ask the hospital to do a special exam (called a forensic medical exam). If you think you may have been drugged, ask that a urine sample be taken. Also ask about testing for pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, and HIV.
  • Call the National Sexual Assault Hotline toll-free (1-800-656-HOPE or 1-800-656-4673) for free, confidential counseling.
• Call the National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline toll-free (1-866-331-9474) or (1-866-331-8453 TTY).
• Find local resources that can help in a crisis. Your local rape crisis center or hotline, police department, mental health clinic, or hospital can help you.
• Be alert to warning signs, such as threats or drunkenness, so that you can avoid a dangerous situation.
• If a child tells you that they have been sexually abused or assaulted, stay calm. Tell the child that you believe them and that you will do your best to keep them safe. Report the abuse or assault to the local police or a child protective services agency.

If you have been a victim of abuse and keep having problems related to the abuse, you may have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Talk to your doctor. Treatment with counseling and medicines can help.