Sexual abuse signs must be assessed in combinations; no one sign is enough to indicate that abuse has or is taking place.
I cannot give you guidance about how many signs should be present to warrant suspicion, because every case is different. If you have suspicions, report them.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In Canada, if a person has suspicions or actual knowledge of child abuse because he/she has either seen abuse occur or has been told abuse occurred, that person must report the abuse under the duty to report law. Failure to report could lead to charges and fines.
Sexual Abuse Signs:
Physical signs:
physical trauma such as redness, rashes, and/or bleeding to oral, genital and/or anal areas
bruises on breasts, buttocks, lower abdomen, thighs, genital and/or rectal areas
complaints of pain or itching in genital or anal areas
difficulty walking or sitting
unusual or offensive body odours
difficulty in bladder or bowel control
constipation
pain or discomfort on urination
blood in urine
abnormal dilation of vaginal or rectal openings
foreign bodies in vaginal, rectal or urethral openings
sexually transmitted diseases found vaginally, rectally or orally
The truth about our childhood is stored up in our body and although we repress it, we can never alter it. Our intellect can be deceived, our feelings manipulated. our perceptions confused and our body tricked with medication. But someday the body will present its bill, for it is as incorruptible as a child who, still whole in spirit, will accept no compromises or excuses, and it will not stop tormenting us until we stop evading the truth.