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Warning Signs of Abuse
by Bill D'Agostino
The news that a trusted youth leader had been arrested
for allegedly having sex with three underage girls sent
shivers down the backs of many local parents this week.
Dr. Philippe Rey, the executive director of Adolescent
Counseling Services, noted that many parents fear the
stranger in a dark coat lingering near the playground,
but most perpetrators are family members or people in
authority.
"They gain the trust of the child and parents would
never suspect," he said.
Rey provided a list of warning signs of abuse:
*A change in behavior, such as the youth suddenly becoming
more aggressive or depressed;
*Visible signs of physical abuse, such as burn marks,
hand marks, blood on clothing or torn clothing;
*Sexually transmitted diseases;
*An older youth regressing to childish behavior;
*Soiling or wetting the bed, if the youth hadn't done
that in a while;
*A youth acting out "age-inappropriate" sexual
behavior; or
*A youth having more knowledge of sex than is appropriate
for their age.
"If you suspect anything it's worth inquiring," Rey
said. "It's better to be wrong but ask the right
question than be right and not ask the right question."
Suspicions should always be reported to the authorities,
Rey advised.
"Leave the professionals to do their job," he
said. "Don't allow it to go on even if it's just
a suspicion."
Parents or youth seeking help can call the California
Crisis Line, run through the Department of Social Services,
at (916) 445-2771 or the toll-free National Child Abuse
Hotline at 1-800-25-Abuse.
Printed with permission by the Palo Alto Weekly
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