08/24/2026
Children don’t always tell us directly when something has happened. Sometimes, a change in behavior is the first thing an adult notices.
Pay attention when a child suddenly seems different. This might look like:
• Withdrawing from friends, family, or activities they usually enjoy
• Becoming unusually anxious, fearful, angry, or irritable
• Avoiding a particular person, place, activity, or peer
• Changes in sleep, eating, school performance, or concentration
• Showing sexual knowledge or behaviors that are not appropriate for their age or developmental stage
• Suddenly becoming secretive about their phone, messages, or online interactions
These changes do not automatically mean a child has experienced abuse. But they are reasons to stay curious, pay attention, and create space for conversation. Whether you're a parent, teacher, counselor, coach, mandatory reporter, or another safe adult in a child's life, knowing what to notice matters. 💙