Contact us at the Greater Lakes Child Advocacy Center
Greater Lakes Child Advocacy Center

Children may have some of the following symptoms as a result of abuse
  • Nausea/upset stomach
  • Crying
  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Withdrawal from others
  • Clinging to parents
  • Change in school performance
  • Sexually inappropriate behavior
  • Lying
  • Change in appetite
  • Nightmares
  • Anger and mood changes
  • Avoidance of school/friends
  • Aggressiveness
  • Rebelliousness
  • Fears and phobias
  • Attention seeking
It is important to remember that each child reacts to abuse differently. A child may experience some of a few of these symptoms, many of these symptoms, or none of these symptoms. Reactions will even vary among children who are siblings and experienced the same type of abuse.
For more information on symptoms of abuse, a good reference is the fact sheet “Age Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event,” from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network at www.NCTSNet.org