Victim Services Renfrew County

Early Warning Signs for Sexual Violence

Signs may include, but are not limited to:

Younger Children

Physical warning signs

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Signs of trauma to the genital area, such as unexplained bleeding, bruising, or blood on the sheets
Behavioral signs:
Sexual behavior that is inappropriate for the child’s age
Bedwetting or soiling the bed, if the child has already outgrown these behaviors
Not wanting to be left alone with certain people or being afraid to be away from primary caregivers, especially if this is a new behavior
Tries to avoid removing clothing to change or bathe

Emotional signs

Excessive talk about or knowledge of sexual topics
Resuming behaviors that they had grown out of, such as thumbsucking
Nightmares or fear of being alone at night
Excessive worry or fearfulness

Signs that an adult may be hurting a child

Keeping children safe can be challenging since many perpetrators who sexually abuse children are in positions of trust—most child sexual assault victims know the perpetrator. Keeping a child away from the perpetrator may mean major changes in your own life, even if you are outside of the child’s family.

Be cautious of an adult who spend time with children and exhibits the following behaviors:

Does not respect boundaries or listen when someone tells them “no”
Engages in touching that a child or child’s parents/guardians have indicated is unwanted
Tries to be a child’s friend rather than filling an adult role in the child’s life
Does not seem to have age-appropriate relationships
Talks with children about their personal problems or relationships
Spends time alone with children outside of their role in the child’s life or makes up excuses to be alone with the child
Expresses unusual interest in child’s sexual development, such as commenting on sexual characteristics or sexualizing normal behaviors
Gives a child gifts without occasion or reason
Spends a lot of time with your child or another child you know

IF You or Someone you know may be in an abusive relationship, please call VSRC for support and information or check our resource listing for additional resources and support services.

Teenagers

Some of the warning signs that a teen has been sexually assaulted or abused can easily blend in with the everyday struggles teens face as they learn how to relate to their bodies, peers, and environments. If something doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts. It’s better to ask and be wrong than to let a teen struggle with the effects of sexual assault. Remind the teen that if they come to you, you will believe them—and that if something happened, it is not their fault.

If you notice the following warning signs in a teen, it’s worth reaching out to them.

Unusual weight gain or weight loss
Unhealthy eating patterns, like a loss of appetite or excessive eating
Signs of physical abuse, such as bruises
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or other genital infections
Signs of depression, such as persistent sadness, lack of energy, changes in sleep or appetite, withdrawing from normal activities, or feeling “down”
Anxiety or worry
Falling grades
Changes in self-care, such as paying less attention to hygiene, appearance, or fashion than they usually do
Self-harming behavior
Expressing thoughts about suicide or suicide behavior
Drinking or drug use

Warning signs that a teen may be in an abusive relationship

It can be challenging for teens, who are new to dating, to recognize that sexual assault and abuse may be part of an abusive relationship. As someone outside of the relationship, you have the potential to notice warning signs that someone may be in abusive relationship or at risk for sexual assault.

Look for signs that a teen’s boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner has done or said the following:

Tries to get them to engage in sexual activity that they aren’t ready for
Sexually assaults them or coerces them into unwanted sexual activity
Refuses to use contraception or protection against STIs during sexual activity
Hits them or physically harms them in any way
Doesn’t want them spending time with friends or family
Makes threats or controls their actions
Uses drugs or alcohol to create situations where their judgement is impaired or compromises their ability to say "yes" or "no"

Using technology to hurt others

Teens may also experience sexual harassment or other unwanted behaviors through technology and online interactions. Some people use technology—such as digital photos, videos, apps, and social media—to engage in harassing, unsolicited, or non-consensual sexual interactions. It can leave the person on the other end feeling manipulated, unsafe, and exposed, like when someone forwards a text, photo, or “sext” intended only for the original recipient.

IF You or Someone you know may be in an abusive relationship, please call VSRC for support and information or check our resource listing for additional resources and support services.

Pre-Rape Signs or Cues

Here are some of the things that may be identified as examples of "pre-rape" cues.

Sexual entitlement

When someone behaves in a way that shows they want to exert some form of power over you, it can be a red flag.
Making comments that sexualise situations or relationships that were not otherwise sexual.

Unwanted touching

Touching someone without their consent might seem like an obvious assault warning sign, however, it doesn’t necessarily have to be sexualised touching for it to be deemed as desired entitlement.

Persistence

This warning sign applies even in non-sexual circumstances and could transpire in a number of social and environmental ways.
Someone who insists on getting their own way despite knowing that it is not what the person with them wants.

Isolation

Just as it's important to consider behaviour when it comes to "pre-rape" warning signs, environment and circumstance are also key factors.
Usually, the greatest risk of sexual assault occurs when behavioural and situational cues collide
A typical situational cue is that of isolation i.e. someone whom one already deems as potentially at risk of sexual perpetration has taken extra measures to ensure that they are completely alone with the potential victim

IF You or Someone you know may be in an abusive relationship, please call VSRC for support and information or check our resource listing for additional resources and support services.