KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- For children suffering from sexual abuse, or inappropriate contact at the hands of an authority figure, it's often hard to know where to turn.

For a child of any age, it's a confusing and scary situation.

ChildHelp Tennessee Director Pamela Dickey says, "When that person that you respect and you have to follow the orders of, starts breaking the rules with you and touching and asking you to do things, then you're put into a position where you don't know what to do next. You don't know who you can turn to."

A relationship that may have seemed special suddenly seems wrong.

Dickey says, "They do a lot of coercive things - buying gifts for the child, giving them privileges - so then the child begins to feel responsible for what's happening to them."

These feelings of shame can make it difficult for children to talk about the abuse they've suffered.

When you think of sexual abuse, you may think of a stranger approaching your child in a public place like this park. But often times, abuse happens in a familiar place with someone your child knows and trusts.

Dickey says, "Sex abuse is insidious. It happens when they are at home in their bedrooms, when they are at sleepovers, when they're camping, when they've gone off with a church group"

Children can contact ChildHelp at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-877-422-4459) at anytime to talk to a safe person.

Locally, Safe Haven also has a crisis hotline for children at 865-522-7273.

The reporting law in our state means anyone who suspects child abuse of any kind is required to report it. That number is 1-877-237-0004.

Research from safe haven estimates one out of every four children will be a victim of sexual abuse by age 18, and 85 percent of those are abused by someone they know.

Safe Haven Director Jane Peoples says parents notice changes.

"They'll think of everything but that horrible possibility that someone in authority has violated their child," Peoples says. "It's just such a hard thing for parents to think about. That it's hard for them to ask that question."

If you notice slipping grades, or a change in routines, it's time to think about the possibility of sexual abuse.

The most common signs of sexual abuse in children include physical complaints, sleep disturbances, and depression. Anxiety and delinquent acts can also be an indicator.

Find a way that's comfortable within your family to talk.

"It's never a good thing to say is so and so abusing you, because kids don't always think of it as abuse," Dickey says. "It's just something that doesn't feel right to them."

Dickey says its better to ask generally if something seems wrong.
Contacting a local agency can help steer families in the right direction.

Peoples says, "The sooner they can come forward and get the help they need and hold that trusted adult accountable, the faster they'll be able to heal themselves so we need to talk about it."

Experts say it is important to use careful wording about sexual assault, especially with young children.