# A question regarding molestation

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-regarding-molestation/443708>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [April 2, 2008, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-regarding-molestation/443708 "2008-04-02T19:54:40Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Renee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/renee/32/287_2.png) [@Renee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renee)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2008, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-regarding-molestation/443708/21 "2008-04-04T01:31:40Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> OTOH, if the child does remember anything, even subconsciously, it might be affecting them in weird ways. Fears of the dark, or of a certain stuffed animal, or an overreaction when someone plays with her hair. Depression, clinginess or aloofness or inappropriate boundaries with adults are often symptoms of childhood sexual abuse. When they get older, it might be drinking or cutting or skipping school or acting out in other ways. The kid may have this disturbing sense that they’re bad or weak or broken in some way, and have no idea where that comes from. In such a case, finding out that they’re not crazy, there’s a perfectly logical reason why Mr. Elephant is freaky, might be helpful in their healing process.

I basically agree with you, but I think this is where it gets tricky. I’m afraid you would be constantly watching for things like you mention, and while every child has some struggles growing up, you might be inclined to attribute any problems to the molestation, whether they’re related or not.

I personally don’t think I would tell, assuming the child was under two years old. If later it was obvious he or she was remembering something, we would talk about it, but unless it was clear, I probably wouldn’t.

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-question-regarding-molestation/443708.md?page=1)