Signs of Sexual Abuse in Teens: A Guide for What to Do

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We’re a Teen Residential Treatment Facility in Arizona & Idaho, offering support for teens and resources to help parents navigate their child’s challenges.

If your teen is in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. For suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis, call or text 988 (U.S.) to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24/7.

There is a unique and quiet horror in suspecting your child has been harmed, a dread that makes you question every closed door, every moody silence you once dismissed as “just being a teenager.” Dismissing your gut feeling as an overreaction feels safer than confronting the alternative, but the nagging worry remains. This guide is designed to help you trust that instinct, providing the clarity to respond not with panic, but with the calm, steady presence your teen needs to feel safe.

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Key takeaways

  • Sexual abuse is any sexual act a teen cannot consent to, including non-contact and online exploitation.
  • Most abusers are not strangers but are known and trusted by the teen and the family.
  • The absence of physical signs does not mean abuse did not happen, as emotional signs are more common.
  • Your first response to a disclosure is critical: believe them, assure them it’s not their fault, and ensure their safety.
  • Healing is a long-term process that requires specialized, trauma-informed therapy for the teen and the family.

What is considered sexual abuse in teenagers

Sexual abuse is often quieter and more complex than we imagine, extending far beyond physical violence. Understanding its different forms is the first step to recognizing the danger your teen may be in, even when there are no obvious signs of harm.

The legal definition of sexual abuse

Sexual abuse includes any sexual activity that a young person cannot fully understand or consent to because of their age and developmental stage.

It involves an imbalance of power, where an older person or someone in a position of authority uses a teen for their own sexual gratification.

This can happen with or without physical force, often relying on psychological pressure, manipulation, or coercion.

Types of abuse: contact, non-contact, and online exploitation

It’s a common misconception that abuse always involves physical touch. The reality is that harm can be inflicted in many ways, and it’s crucial to recognize the different forms it can take.

  • Contact abuse: This is what most people think of as sexual assault. It includes any unwanted sexual touching, kissing, fondling, or forced sexual intercourse.
  • Non-contact abuse: This form of abuse can be just as damaging without any physical contact. It may look like an adult exposing themselves to a teen, forcing them to watch pornography, making sexual comments, or sending them unwanted explicit messages or images.
  • Online exploitation: In the digital world, abuse often involves pressuring a teen to send explicit photos or videos (sextortion), engaging in unwanted sexual conversations online, or live-streaming sexual acts.

How grooming can disguise abuse as a special relationship

Grooming is the slow, deliberate process of making the unacceptable feel special. It’s the stomach-drop realization that another adult has built a secret world with your child—one filled with gifts, shared confidences, and rules you know nothing about.

An abuser uses this process to gain trust and break down a teen’s natural defenses over time. The goal is to blur boundaries so completely that the teen no longer recognizes the danger. What looks like a special friendship or a mentorship is actually a calculated strategy to isolate your child and make them more vulnerable to abuse. This is how trust is turned into a weapon.

Common myths about teen sexual abuse

Part of what makes abuse so difficult to recognize is that the truth often contradicts what we’ve been taught to believe about safety, strangers, and survival. Letting go of these myths is essential to seeing your teen’s reality clearly.

Myth: Abusers are always strangers

The most dangerous myth is that abusers are shadowy figures in alleyways, when in reality, the perpetrator is almost always someone the teen knows and trusts.

It could be a family member, a coach, a neighbor, or another trusted adult.

This is what makes the abuse so confusing and difficult to process for a teen—the person who is supposed to be safe is the one causing the harm.

Myth: They would tell you if it was happening

You wait for the words that never come, wanting to believe their silence means everything is okay. But a teen may not disclose abuse for many reasons. They might feel ashamed, confused, or terrified of what will happen if they tell.

Often, the abuser has threatened them or their family, convincing them that staying silent is the only way to keep everyone safe. The silence that feels like proof that nothing is wrong is often the sound of their fear.

Myth: If they didn’t fight back, it wasn’t abuse

When faced with an overwhelming threat, the brain’s primary goal is survival. A teen might not fight back or scream because their body has gone into a state of shock or paralysis known as tonic immobility, or the “freeze” response.

This isn’t a choice; it’s an automatic, uncontrollable survival instinct. What looks like a lack of resistance is often a body’s automatic survival switch, and it is never a sign of consent.

Myth: It only happens to girls

While girls experience sexual abuse at higher rates, boys are also frequent victims. The stigma and shame surrounding male victimization can make it even harder for boys to disclose what happened to them.

Believing this myth leaves boys vulnerable and alone, erasing their experience and creating significant barriers to getting the help they need.

Emotional and psychological signs of abuse

Abuse leaves invisible wounds that often show up first as changes in a teen’s emotional world. What might look like intense moodiness can be the language of trauma, a quiet signal that something is deeply wrong.

Sudden changes in mood or personality

This is more than typical teenage volatility. It’s the feeling that the child you knew has been replaced by someone you don’t recognize.

The laughter that once filled the house is gone, replaced by a flat, withdrawn silence or sudden, unexplainable bursts of anger. This change can feel jarring and confusing, leaving you wondering what happened to the person they used to be.

New or worsening anxiety, fear, or depression

A constant, low-level hum of anxiety can take over your teen’s life. Childhood sexual abuse is a deep trauma that often leads to conditions like depression and anxiety. This emerges as a persistent sadness that doesn’t lift or a new fearfulness that seems to have no source. It’s the cloud that follows them from room to room, an invisible weight that makes everything feel harder.

Low self-esteem or feelings of worthlessness

You may start to hear intensely self-critical language. They might call themselves “stupid,” “ugly,” or “disgusting” after the smallest mistake. Abuse is a profound violation that can make a teen feel fundamentally broken or unworthy of love. This deep sense of shame is not a reflection of who they are; it is a direct result of the harm done to them.

Mentions of suicide or self-harm

Any mention of wanting to die or harming themselves must be taken seriously. This is not a bid for attention; it is a sign of unbearable pain.

  • Call or text 988 immediately. The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
  • Listen without judgment. Stay calm and let them know you hear them.
  • Remove immediate risks. Secure any medications, sharp objects, or weapons.
  • Do not leave them alone. Stay with them until help arrives.

An intense fear of a specific person or place

Pay attention to their physical reactions. It’s the way they flinch when a certain person’s name is mentioned, or their sudden, panicked refusal to go to a place they once loved. This isn’t a simple dislike; it’s a powerful, instinctual avoidance. Their body may be telling you what their words cannot.

Behavioral signs of abuse

When a teen’s inner world is in chaos, their behavior is often the only available language to express that pain. It’s easy to mistake these signals for defiance or rebellion, but learning to see the need underneath the action is a critical step toward helping them heal.

Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities

This isn’t just a desire for more alone time; it’s a retreat from a world that feels too demanding. You might notice them doing things like:

  • Losing interest in hobbies: The guitar gathers dust, the video game controller is untouched, and their favorite activities are met with an “I don’t care” shrug.
  • Avoiding social plans: They may start making excuses to get out of seeing friends or family, often citing a sudden, unexplained exhaustion.
  • Disconnecting from family: Conversations become shorter, and they may spend more and more time isolated in their room, creating a quiet distance.

Acting out, aggression, or unusual rebellion

A teen who feels powerless may try to reclaim control in the only ways they know how. This can manifest as:

  • Explosive anger: They may have outbursts over small things that seem completely out of proportion to the situation.
  • Sudden defiance: A teen who was once cooperative may begin breaking rules at home or school in a way that feels hostile and personal.
  • A new pattern of hostility: What looks like a fight for control over you is often a desperate battle to have control over something when their own body has been violated.

Changes in eating or sleeping habits

The body often holds the trauma that the mind cannot yet process. These physiological responses to overwhelming stress can include:

  • Disrupted sleep: They may struggle with persistent nightmares, an inability to fall asleep, or waking up frequently throughout the night.
  • Changes in appetite: Look for a sudden loss of interest in food, significant weight loss or gain, or new patterns of emotional overeating.

New secrecy, especially around their phone or computer

This is different from a typical teen’s desire for privacy. It is often driven by shame or a direct threat from an abuser, and it can look like:

  • Device guarding: The phone is suddenly angled away when you enter the room, the laptop snaps shut, or they become frantic if you get near their devices.
  • Hidden communication: They may have secret social media accounts or use messaging apps you don’t know about to communicate with the abuser.

Running away or talking about it

When home or their internal world feels unbearable, running away can feel like the only escape. Child sexual abuse is a unique risk factor for this behavior, which you might see as:

  • Direct threats or plans: They may talk openly about wanting to leave or begin packing a bag.
  • Indirect comments: They might make comments about wanting to disappear or start over somewhere new.
  • Actual attempts: Any instance of running away, even for a short time, is a serious cry for help.

Substance use or other risky behaviors

A teen in deep emotional pain may turn to risky behaviors as a way to numb their feelings. This is not a search for a party; it’s an attempt at self-medication, which can include:

  • New or increased substance use: Starting to use or increasing the use of alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs.
  • Reckless sexual behavior: Engaging in sexual activity that is out of character, unsafe, or seems compulsive.

Physical signs of abuse

It’s natural to look for concrete proof when you’re worried, but it’s vital to know that physical evidence of sexual abuse is rare. The harm is most often invisible, and waiting for a physical sign can mean missing the emotional and behavioral signals that something is wrong.

It’s a difficult but essential truth that the vast majority of teens who have been abused show no physical signs at all, especially if the abuse was not recent. However, when physical signs are present, they require immediate attention.

Unexplained bruises, pain, or injuries

While teens can be clumsy, injuries related to sexual abuse often appear in specific areas and without a clear explanation.

  • Bleeding: Any unexplained bleeding from the genital or anal region is a serious warning sign.
  • Location: Look for bruising, redness, or scratches around the genital, anal, or inner thigh areas.
  • Pain: Your teen may complain of pain in their stomach or genital area that has no other medical cause.

Difficulty walking or sitting

Pain from physical trauma can make normal movements difficult. You might notice your teen:

  • Walking differently: They may walk with a stiff or unusual gait.
  • Avoiding sitting: They may complain of pain when sitting down or try to stand more than usual.
  • Wincing with movement: Notice if they seem to be in pain when changing positions.

Frequent urinary or yeast infections

While these are common medical issues, a sudden onset or a recurring pattern without a clear cause can be a red flag.

  • Painful urination: They may say it hurts to pee or seem to be avoiding the bathroom.
  • Increased frequency: A new, urgent need to urinate often can be a symptom.
  • Complaints of itching or discomfort: They may mention persistent itching, burning, or unusual discharge.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Any STI in a teenager is a major concern that requires immediate and compassionate medical care.

  • Symptoms: This can include sores, warts, or a rash in the genital area, as well as unusual discharge or pain.
  • Asymptomatic cases: It’s important to know that many STIs show no symptoms at all and can only be diagnosed through a medical test.

Sudden changes in personal hygiene

A teen’s relationship with their own body can change dramatically after abuse. This often manifests in one of two extremes:

  • Avoiding bathing: They may suddenly stop showering or caring about their appearance as a way to avoid touching or thinking about their body.
  • Compulsive washing: On the other hand, they might begin showering or bathing obsessively, as if trying to wash away the experience and feel “clean” again.

How to talk to your teen if you suspect abuse

This may be the most important conversation you ever have. How you handle that first conversation influences what your teen tells you next. Your goal is not to get a confession, but to create an island of safety in the middle of their fear, letting them know you are on their side no matter what.

A guide to the first conversation

Your first approach sets the tone for everything that follows. You can create a safe space for this conversation by:

  • Finding a private, calm moment: Choose a time and place where you won’t be interrupted. Turn off the TV, put your phones away, and give them your complete, undivided attention.
  • Starting with a loving observation: Instead of a direct accusation, begin with care. Try saying, “I’ve noticed you seem really down lately, and I’m worried about you. I love you, and I’m here if you ever need to talk.”
  • Stating your unconditional support: Make your allegiance clear from the start. Say, “I want you to know that you can tell me anything, and it will not change how much I love you. We will get through it together.”
  • Letting them lead: Open the door, but do not force them to walk through it. End your opening with something like, “You don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to, but I’m ready to listen whenever you are.”

What to do if they get angry or deny it

It is a gut-wrenching moment when you reach out with concern and are met with anger or a flat denial. The instinct is to push for the truth, but that can drive them further away. Their denial is not a rejection of you; it is a testament to the size of their fear.

Denial and anger are survival tools. Your teen may be protecting their abuser, protecting themselves from the pain of reality, or terrified of how your family will change if the secret comes out. Do not force the issue. Simply retreat with love, saying, “Okay. I hear you. Just know that I’m always here for you, and the door is always open.”

How to create a safe and non-judgmental space

Your teen is constantly scanning your face, your voice, and your body language for signs of danger. Your ability to remain calm is the single most important factor in helping them feel safe enough to speak.

  • Manage your own emotions: The rage, fear, and grief you feel are valid, but they are too heavy for your teen to carry right now. Find a separate time and place to process your own feelings with a partner, friend, or therapist.
  • Listen more than you talk: Your job is not to investigate or interrogate. It is to listen. Let there be silence. Give them time to find their words without interruption.
  • Believe them unconditionally: The moment they start to share, the only acceptable response is total belief. Do not question their story, pick apart details, or ask for proof. Your belief is the foundation of their healing.

Questions to ask and phrases to avoid

The words you choose have the power to either build a bridge or erect a wall. Keep your language simple, supportive, and focused on their experience.

Safe phrases to use:

  • “I believe you.”
  • “Thank you for telling me. I know that was incredibly hard.”
  • “This is not your fault.”
  • “You are so brave.”
  • “We are going to get through this together.”

Phrases to avoid:

  • “Don’t worry, everything will be okay.” This can feel dismissive of the very real pain and fear they are experiencing right now.
  • “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?” This sounds like blame and adds to their shame.
  • “Are you sure that’s what happened?” This communicates doubt when they need absolute belief.
  • “I’m going to kill them.” This centers your anger and can terrify a teen who fears more violence or chaos.

What to do immediately after a disclosure

In the moments after your teen tells you what happened, the world can feel like it’s tilting off its axis. Your first job is not to fix it; it is to be their safe harbor. The rage and fear you feel are the sound of your love for them. Your task now is to channel that powerful love into calm, protective action.

Step 1: Assure them they are believed and not to blame

This is the most critical step, and it must come before all others. Your teen’s shame and self-blame are likely immense. Your words are the first and most powerful antidote.

  • Say it directly: Look them in the eye and say, “I believe you. This is not your fault. You did nothing wrong.” Repeat these phrases as often as needed.
  • Thank them for their courage: Acknowledge the immense strength it took to speak. Say, “Thank you for telling me. I know how hard that was, and you are so brave for sharing it.”
  • Contain your own reaction: They cannot handle your anger or grief right now. Your calm presence is what tells them they are safe with you.

Step 2: Get medical care from a trained professional

Your teen’s physical health and well-being are the next priority. This is not just about evidence; it is about caring for their body after a trauma.

Step 3: Report the abuse to the authorities

This step can feel overwhelming, but it is essential for your teen’s safety and to prevent the abuser from harming others.

  • What to expect: A detective or social worker will need to speak with you and your teen. This can be difficult, but it is a necessary part of the legal process. An advocate can and should be present to support your teen during this interview.
  • Who to call: You can report the abuse to your local police department or your state’s child protective services (CPS) hotline. The medical staff at the hospital can also help you make the report.

Step 4: Preserve any potential evidence

To support a potential legal case, it is important to preserve any physical evidence.

  • Do not wash anything: Ask your teen not to shower, brush their teeth, or change their clothes. If they have already changed, bring the clothes they were wearing in a paper bag.
  • Preserve digital evidence: Do not delete any text messages, social media messages, or photos from the abuser. Take screenshots and save them in a secure location.
  • Write everything down: While it’s fresh in your mind, write down everything your teen told you, including dates, times, locations, and names. This can be helpful for investigators later.

The long-term effects of sexual abuse

The trauma doesn’t end when the abuse stops. It leaves an echo that can shape how your teen sees the world, themselves, and their future. Understanding these long-term effects is not about predicting a bleak future; it is about learning the map of their healing journey so you can walk it with them.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

After a terrifying event, the brain can get stuck in survival mode, replaying the danger long after it has passed. This is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a condition where the body and mind continue to react as if the trauma is still happening. Childhood sexual abuse is strongly associated with PTSD, and it can look like:

  • Re-experiencing the trauma: This can happen through intrusive memories, flashbacks that feel terrifyingly real, or nightmares that disrupt their sleep and leave them exhausted.
  • Hypervigilance: Their nervous system is on constant high alert. It’s the way they jump at a loud noise, constantly scan rooms for danger, or seem unable to relax, even at home.
  • Avoidance: They may go to great lengths to avoid anything—people, places, or even thoughts—that reminds them of the trauma. This is not defiance; it is a desperate attempt to keep the overwhelming feelings at bay.
  • Negative thoughts and mood: They might feel a persistent sense of hopelessness, shame, or detachment from others, as if they are living behind a wall of glass.

Creating a family digital safety agreement

This is not a list of punishments. It is the family’s shared map for how you will navigate the digital world safely, together. Creating it should be a collaborative process, not a lecture. It’s an opportunity to turn a crisis into a clear, new set of expectations for the entire family. A strong family media plan helps families customize rules around media use and should be a living document that you revisit as your teen matures. Your agreement can establish clear expectations by:

  • Setting screen-free zones and times: Such as no phones in bedrooms overnight or during family meals, to protect sleep and connection.
  • Defining privacy expectations: Clarifying that you will be checking their phone periodically, not as a punishment, but as a condition for its use while trust is being rebuilt.
  • Outlining rules of conduct: Agreeing on what is and is not okay to share online, how to treat others, and what to do when they see something that makes them uncomfortable.
  • Creating an exit strategy: Establishing a code word or phrase your teen can text you anytime they are in an uncomfortable situation and need help getting out of it, no questions asked.

Challenges with future relationships and intimacy

The person who was supposed to be safe was the source of harm. This profound betrayal can fundamentally rewire a teen’s ability to trust others, creating a painful conflict between the deep human need for connection and the instinct to protect themselves from being hurt again. This can show up as:

  • Difficulty with trust: They may struggle to believe that others have good intentions, leading to isolation or conflict in friendships.
  • Fear of intimacy: As they get older, they may avoid romantic relationships or struggle with physical and emotional closeness.
  • Repeating unhealthy patterns: Sometimes, survivors unconsciously repeat patterns from the abusive relationship because the dynamic feels familiar.

Co-occurring issues like eating disorders or self-harm

When emotional pain feels unbearable, a teen may turn to behaviors that provide a temporary sense of control or relief. These are not new problems; they are attempts to solve the problem of overwhelming trauma.

  • Self-harm: The physical pain of cutting or other forms of self-injury can be a way to distract from emotional agony or to feel something real when they otherwise feel numb.
  • Eating disorders: Meticulously controlling food can be a way to regain a sense of power when everything else in their life feels chaotic and out of control.
  • Substance use: Drugs and alcohol can be used to numb the intrusive thoughts and painful feelings associated with the trauma.

The importance of trauma-informed therapy

Healing from these deep wounds is possible, but it requires a specific kind of support. Trauma-informed therapy is not just about talking; it’s a specialized approach that understands how trauma affects the brain, body, and behavior.

A trauma-informed therapist knows how to create a safe environment where your teen can process what happened without being re-traumatized, helping them to gently turn down the volume of that echo from the past.

Healing as a family after the trauma

The trauma of abuse sends a shockwave through the entire family, disrupting its sense of safety and connection. Healing, therefore, isn’t just your teen’s journey; it is a path you must all learn to walk together, rebuilding a sense of security one day at a time.

Finding the right therapist for your teen

Choosing a therapist can feel overwhelming when the stakes are this high. Your goal is to find a professional who can be a trusted guide for your teen through the complex terrain of trauma recovery. When searching for the right person, look for:

  • Specialization in adolescent trauma: Ask directly about their experience and training in treating young survivors of sexual abuse.
  • Evidence-based approaches: Look for therapists trained in modalities like Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) or Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR).
  • A focus on safety and connection: The first priority of a good therapist will be building a trusting relationship with your teen, not forcing them to talk about the trauma.
  • A good fit for your teen: Ultimately, the best therapist is one your teen feels comfortable with. It’s okay if it takes a few tries to find the right person.

The importance of therapy for parents and caregivers

You have experienced your own form of trauma. Witnessing your child’s pain, navigating the legal and medical systems, and managing your own grief and rage is exhausting. You cannot be their calm harbor if you are still caught in the storm yourself.

Your own therapy is not a luxury; it is a necessary part of your child’s support system. Your own therapy helps you become the steady, calm support your teen needs to heal. Getting help for yourself is the most responsible thing you can do for your family.

How to support siblings and other family members

Siblings are often the silent survivors of a family crisis. They may be confused, scared, or resentful of the attention their brother or sister is receiving. Their world has also been turned upside down, and they need support, too.

  • Provide age-appropriate information: Explain what you can in simple, honest terms without sharing graphic details. Let them know their sibling was hurt, it wasn’t their fault, and the family is working together to heal.
  • Validate their feelings: Let them know it’s okay to feel sad, angry, or confused. Their silence is not indifference; it is often fear. Carve out one-on-one time to listen to their worries.
  • Maintain routines where possible: In the midst of chaos, predictability is calming. Sticking to regular family meals or bedtime routines can provide a much-needed sense of normalcy.
  • Consider family therapy: A therapist can help the entire family learn how to communicate and support one another through the healing process.

Specific risks for vulnerable teenagers

While any teen can be a victim, some face unique vulnerabilities that abusers are skilled at exploiting. Understanding these risks is not about assigning blame; it is about recognizing where the shadows are deepest so you can be a more vigilant protector.

Increased risks for LGBTQ+ youth

For teens who are exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity, the fear of not being accepted can be a powerful tool for an abuser.

  • The threat of being outed: An abuser may use a teen’s identity as leverage, threatening to reveal their secret to family or friends if they don’t comply.
  • Fear of not being believed: LGBTQ+ teens may worry that their disclosure will be dismissed or blamed on their identity, making them less likely to report the abuse.
  • Lack of affirming support: In unsupportive environments, these teens may be more isolated and therefore more vulnerable to an adult who offers a false sense of acceptance and understanding.

Vulnerabilities for teens with disabilities

Young people with disabilities are twice as likely to experience sexual abuse as those without disabilities. This increased risk stems from several factors:

  • Dependence on caregivers: When a teen relies on others for their daily needs, it creates a profound power imbalance that an abuser can exploit. It is a unique horror to realize the person you trusted to provide care may be the source of harm.
  • Communication barriers: A teen who is non-verbal or has difficulty communicating may be unable to tell someone what is happening.
  • Limited access to education: They may not have received comprehensive education about their bodies, healthy relationships, and consent, making it harder to recognize when a boundary has been crossed.

When the abuser is a family member or trusted friend

This is the most common and, in many ways, the most devastating form of abuse. It shatters the family’s foundational blueprint of trust and safety. When the person causing the harm is a grandparent, an uncle, a sibling, or a close family friend, it creates an impossible situation.

The internal monologue becomes a storm of disbelief: “How can this be true? He’s family. Telling the truth will destroy everything.” This loyalty conflict, combined with the fear of breaking the family apart, creates a powerful silence that allows the abuse to continue, often for years, hidden in plain sight.

Where to find help and support

You do not have to navigate this alone. A network of free, confidential, and expert support is ready to help your family find a path forward. Reaching out is an act of strength.

National hotlines and online resources

For immediate, 24/7 support from trained professionals, these national resources are the best place to start. They can provide crisis counseling, information, and referrals to local services in your area.

  • RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): Call 800-656-HOPE or visit their website for a live chat. As the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, they offer free, confidential support and can connect you to a local sexual assault service provider in your community.
  • The National Child Abuse Hotline: Call or text 1-800-422-4453. Staffed 24/7 by professional crisis counselors, they provide intervention, information, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources.

How to find local support centers and services

Local centers offer in-person support for your teen and family, from specialized medical care to counseling and legal advocacy.

  • Child Advocacy Centers (CACs): These centers are designed to be a single, child-friendly place where your teen can speak to investigators, receive medical care, and connect with therapy services. This coordinated approach reduces the number of times your child has to tell their story.
  • Local Rape Crisis Centers: These community-based organizations provide free services for survivors and their families, including support groups, individual counseling, and accompaniment to hospitals and court proceedings.

A checklist for your teen’s digital safety plan

To reduce the risk of future harm and monitor for any ongoing contact with the abuser, it is crucial to create a digital safety plan together with your teen.

  • Review privacy settings: Sit down with your teen and review the privacy and location settings on all of their social media accounts and apps.
  • Practice blocking and reporting: Show them how to block and report any user who makes them feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
  • Establish open communication: Create a family rule that your teen can come to you with any online interaction that feels strange or scary, without fear of getting in trouble or losing their devices.
  • Discuss online grooming tactics: Talk to them about how abusers use the internet to build trust and what red flags to look for, such as requests for secrets, personal information, or photos.

Hope for your family

Rebuilding their sense of safety begins not with a big conversation, but with the smallest acts of quiet presence. Start by simply sitting with them, offering a cup of tea without expectation. Your job is not to force the story out; it is to prove that you are a safe place for their silence.

Care at Avery’s House

When the trauma of sexual abuse results in a safety crisis like severe self-harm or suicidal ideation, a higher level of care becomes essential. Avery’s House provides the intensive, trauma-informed residential care necessary to ensure their safety, help them stabilize, and begin the journey back to hope.

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Sources

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  7. Noll, J. G. (2021). Child sexual abuse as a unique risk factor for the development of psychopathology: The compounded convergence of mechanisms. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 17, 439-464. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-081219-112621
  8. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families. (2023). Resources specific to victims of sexual abuse. ACF Trauma Toolkit. https://acf.gov/trauma-toolkit/victims-sexual-abuse
  9. U.S. Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. (2024). A national protocol for sexual assault medical forensic examinations: Adults/adolescents (3rd ed.). U.S. Department of Justice. https://www.justice.gov/ovw/media/1367191/dl
  10. World Health Organization. (2017). Responding to children and adolescents who have been sexually abused: WHO clinical guidelines. World Health Organization. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK493119/

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