• Child is afraid of what could happen to the family member who abused them because they care about them. 
• Child may think that no one will believe them because of who the family member is and the roll they play at home or in their community. 
• Child is ignored when trying to speak out about the abuse.
• Child is told by the abuser that it's normal and the child will get in trouble if they tell.

Being sexually abused by a family member may be more

 difficult to talk about. Know that you are not alone. 

Those who commit sexual abuse acts on children can be very creative by grooming their victims; confusing and tricking the victim into thinking that what is happening is appropriate behavior instead of inappropriate behavior. Understand what the inappropriate behaviors are in efforts to keep you and your family safe.

Trust is a power tool used by adults and older youth who sexually abused younger children. This is done by connecting with them on an emotional level, coercing and manipulating the child to believe that their affectionate touches are normal. 

• Adult or older youth who encourage a child to sit on their lap or to share the covers with them.
• Adult or older youth who communicate with a child privately about very private issues, secretly chat on social media, via text, or by email.
• Adult or older youth shows the child pornography or talk sexually to them.
• Adult or older youth coercing child to participate in illegal behaviors such as; smoking, drinking, or other illegal drugs – and may use the child's actions as leverage to blackmail or convincing the child that it's their own fault.
• Adult or youth speaking negatively about the child's parents or guardian and  convincing the child that their parent or guardian doesn't understand and can't treat them like they can.

• Adult or older child encouraging a younger child to touch their own private parts or has the child to touch someone else's  private parts. 
• When someone rubs their body parts against someone else's body with or without clothes on and pretend it didn't happening.
• Making a child touch someone else's private area for pleasure, or to watch someone masturbate, by touching their own private areas.
• Committing the act of sodomy, in putting part of someone else's body part or an object into a child's anus or having the child to insert someone else's body part or an object into their own anus.

• Adults or older child showing their private parts to a younger child or convincing a younger child to show their own private parts.
• Showing a child phonography where they are watching others have sex in photos or videos, or watching others touching themselves or another person's body while naked providing sexual favors. 
•  Being told to remove all or some clothing while photos are being taken of your body or being told to take photos of children under age 18.
• Communicating in secret with someone by phone, on a tablet, over the internet, through texting, online gamming apps, or social media apps.

• Insults and name-calling:  Using harsh words repetitively to demean and hurt someone. 
• Criticism and put-downs: Criticizing a person's thoughts, feelings, and actions on a constant bases.
• Isolation: Preventing someone from seeing friends, family, or other support systems. 
• Manipulation and control: Using scare tactics to control someone's actions, beliefs, and behavior. 
• Threats and intimidation: Threatening to harm themselves, their pets, or others to exert control. 
• Gaslighting: Making someone question their own memory, sanity, or reality. 
• Emotional blackmail: Making someone feel guilty or responsible for the abuser's behavior. 
• Ignoring or minimizing feelings: Dismissing a person's feelings or concerns. 
• Erratic behavior: Exhibiting unpredictable and erratic behavior to create uncertainty and fear. 
• Social isolation: Preventing a person from accessing support services, educational opportunities, and social connections. 

• Being forced to have sex for money or something of value against someone's will.
• Under 18 and engaging in commercial sex- any sex act or sexually explicit performance for which anything of value is given, promised to, or received by any person.
• Being forced to work or perform services against someone's will.