Domestic violence & sexual abuse:
Most states require professionals to report any suspicion of child abuse.
Although reporting suspected abuse can jeopardize a therapeutic alliance, sometimes
therapy needs to take a second place to the interests of safety.
If a clinician does not report suspected child abuse, they should consider the
consequences of making a mistake.
Perpetrators and victims of childhood sexual abuse don’t usually volunteer this
information.
Detection of this abuse is up to the therapist who may have to rely on indirect clues
A child MAY show the following symptoms if they are being abused: sleep disturbance,
encopresis or enuresis, abdominal pain, exaggerated startle response, appetite
disturbance, sudden unexplained changes in behavior, overly sexualized behavior,
regressive behavior, suicidal thoughts or running away.