My nephew's strange dress sense

[Fazlyn30]

My 5 year old nephew wears 3 pairs of underpants, 2 shorts and 3 pj pants at the same time. When I first saw this I thought it was funny. He seems to do this more often these days and I am beginning to suspect that something odd is going on. I am beginning to suspect sexual abuse as I think he is trying to prevent being touched hence the layering. I do not have any kids of my own and am not really sure how to address this matter with my nephew or his parents. I am a survivor of childhood sexual abuse so am always on the look out for signs because no body noticed any signs during my abuse. Do you think I am just being overly suspicious because of my own experiences?

I really appreciate your response!
Concerned Aunt

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

You are wise to be careful not to infer toomuch from the behavior. Could he have been mistreated? Yes. But by no means should such a conclusion be drawn from the behavior. It could just as well be the result of a sensory integration problem ofan obsessive-compulsive disorder, for example. As his aunt, all you should do is convey your observation (about the behavior, not your worry re: sexual abuse). Hopefully they will talk about this with him, see what his thoughts are, and arrange an evaluation if it seems that is in order.

[ohcalcutagirl]

hi, there is nothing wrong with just asking why he does that to the parents when u see it as that is what would seem most natural.
. . if it has nothing to do with sex abuse, he may just be a little OCD
good luck

[Fazlyn30]

Thank you so much for the response, Dr Kennedy! I certainly will exercise caution in the manner  I broach the matter with his parents.
Thanks