Toilet Issues with your Child Since Sexual Abuse

Children can present a range of symptoms after being victim to sexual abuse.

For parents, this can be extremely worrying. You may be concerned the behaviour isn’t normal and feel unable to help them. A common problem is going to the toilet.

Here is a helpful resource with hints and tips depending on the type of behaviour your child is displaying.

This resource is for parents/carers of children who:

• Sometimes or all the time don’t poo in the toilet even though they used to before
• Wet or soil themselves
• Poo or wee in strange places like a bin, a wardrobe or in their bed
• Hide used tampons
• Have incontinence that is not explained medically

It can be frightening for the parents or carers who are faced with this. It may be difficult to manage and get in the way of everyday life. This information could be helpful at:

• Identifying why this might be happening
• Increase the child and the parent / carers understanding
• Consider what might help the situation

This information sheet looks at three common reasons for toilet issues that therapists who do this work can come across; fear, communication and nurture.