DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Advocates are using the last couple days of Sexual Assault Awareness Month to highlight the signs of sexual abuse in children.
Some of the most common signs include sudden shifts in behavior which can involve changes in sleep, emotional outbursts, and self harm.
Educators at Growing Strong Sexual Assault Center say the issue is more pervasive than most people think.
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"What people don't understand is that every school we walk into, there is a child who has been sexually abused and has not talked about it. This is such a widespread issue. This is such a consistent issue and one of our only tools against it is prevention," said Rebecca Madden, a prevention educator at Growing Strong.
Madden suggests starting conversations with kids about consent and boundaries from an early age. Having these conversations and monitoring for any new changes in behavior can have a profoundly preventative effect.
"You know what the child looks like on a good day and on a bad day. Notice those behavior changes," said Madden.
Growing Strong is located in Decatur and serves Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, Dewitt and Shelby Counties. Find more information and resources for parents here.
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