SEXUAL ABUSE:
- Inappropriate interest or knowledge of sexual acts
- Nightmares and bed wetting
- Drastic changes in appetite
- Clinging behaviors
- Drop in school grades
- Lack of interest in normal activities
- Over compliance or excessive aggression
- Fear or a particular person or family member

PHYSICAL ABUSE:
- Wearing inappropriate clothing for weather conditions, i.e. long sleeves or pants in the summer
- "Pattern Shaped" or excessive marks, scars, cuts, burns, bites or bruising on various body parts such as the: back, upper thighs, buttocks, genitals, upper arms, face and stomach areas
- Completely unexplained or multiple 'rehearsed' excuses/stories for each injury, typically blaming themselves for causing the injuries or markings.

NEGLECT:
- Siblings who act as caretakers for younger siblings and/or incompetent parents.
- Children who are malnourished, unkempt and may have poor hygiene.
- Dirty clothing and/or wearing inappropriate clothing for the season.
- Overly hungry and/or 'hoarding' of food.
- Extreme low self-esteem and self worth.
- Children may be frequently tired and have difficulty concentrating.

BELIEVE THE CHILD
Always reassure the child that they are NOT to blame for what happened.  Children may keep the abuse secret for a very long time.  Some children may have been threatened by the suspect and told that the abuse was their fault.  Let the child discuss their victimization, but do not question and interrogate them.  They may have kept their secret for a long time and need to "vent" to decrease their stress level.

UNDERSTAND THAT THE CHILD IS PROBABLY HAVING MIXED FEELINGS
When a child is be victimized by someone they know, they may continue to have both negative and positive feelings for the person.

NEVER TRY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION YOURSELF!
Let the professionals ask the tough questions.  It is also much less stressful on a child if they can minimize the number of times they must repeat the incident(s).  Defense attorneys can easily discredit a child if they have been asked 'leading' questions by a non-professional interviewer. 

Explain to the child what you will do next to help them.
Call your local Department of Social Services or law enforcement officials.

When you call, be prepared to provide (if possible):
1) The child's name
2) Age
3) Address and phone numbers
4) Gender & sibling information
5) Name of the parents
6) School currently attending
7) Brief information regarding the situation or disclosure - exactly as it was related to you by the child.