![signs of past sexual trauma signs of past sexual trauma](https://www.sportshw.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Symptoms-Of-Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder.jpg)
Spend more time talking with ‘friends’ through social media or the internet, and no longer hanging out with their larger friend group as frequently.Leave the home for longer periods of time with little to no explanation about where they are going.Spend more time talking with this new ‘friend’ but doing so in a secretive way, different from how they might behave with other friends.Talk vaguely about a ‘new friend’ but don’t offer any further information.But when these social changes begin to interfere negatively with their daily life or create unsafe situations, then it would indicate that something deeper could be going on. It is natural for youth to seek independence from their caregivers and to spend increasing amounts of time with their peers.
![signs of past sexual trauma signs of past sexual trauma](https://roots-recovery.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Sexual-Trauma-1-768x1920.png)
There are also changes in a young person’s social life to be aware of that could indicate that they might be experiencing exploitation online.
![signs of past sexual trauma signs of past sexual trauma](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0109/2540/8322/articles/infographic_for_SHWI_oncology_edit.jpg)
It’s critical that kids know that even if they broke a rule they can talk about something uncomfortable, confusing or scary that might be happening to them online. When sexually abusive behavior occurs online, some children may not even realize they are being abused or exploited and those who do still may not tell anyone, especially if they have broken a safety rule or believe their social media or internet privileges may be taken away. We already know how difficult it is for children to talk about experiencing sexual harm or abuse, whether by an adult or by another child.