Are you asking yourself:

• “What if I’m wrong?"
• “What if I can make sure the abuse stops?" 
• “What if this isn’t really abuse?"

Have you noticed this type of behavior by the child?

• Difficulty sleeping
• Problems at school or with peers
• Sudden changes in behavior
• Returning to bedwetting, thumb sucking, etc.
• Fear of a certain person
• Skipping school, running away or acting out
• Attempting suicide
• Writing or artwork that’s strangely sexual
• Excessive sexual curiosity, masturbation or promiscuity
• Seductive behavior toward adults or peers

Have you noticed these physical signs on the child?

• Unexplained headaches, stomach aches, vomiting, fainting or blackouts
• Bedwetting or soiling
• Loss or gain of appetite and/or weight
• Injury, itching, pain or soreness in genital or anal area
• Torn, stained or bloody underclothes
• Sexually transmitted disease or vaginal discharge
• Pregnancy

Have you seen this behavior in adults near the child?

• Refusal to let child set limits
• Insisting on hugs, touching, kissing, tickling, etc. even when child resists
• Overly interested in child’s physical or sexual development
• Insisting on uninterrupted time alone with child
• Spending most of spare time with children rather than peers
• Buying children expensive items or gives money for no reason
• Frequently walking in on child in the bathroom
• Allowing child to get away with inappropriate behavior

To report abuse, call the NYS Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-342-3720. An operator will help you and if appropriate, register the call in the State Central Register. This prompts an official investigation by Monroe County Child Protective Services.