The
following information suggests both physical and emotional indicators to be aware of when you are concerned about
the possibility of a child being abused. These indicators are here grouped into the four main categories of child
abuse, but may manifest in any combination.
Indicators of Neglect:
• Failure to provide food, shelter, medicine, etc., to such a degree that a child's health and safety are endangered
• Child left unattended in public place
• Child dressed inappropriately for weather conditions
• Lack of proper diet and appropriate hygiene
• Child doesn't want to leave school
• Child is constantly tired
• Child left alone with no supervision
• Child has unmet physical, emotional or medical needs
Indicators of Physical Abuse:
• Bruises, welts, burns, cuts, broken bones, sprains, bites, etc. that are deliberately inflicted
• Any unexplained injuries such as: bruises, welts, burns, fractures, dislocations, lacerations, abrasions, bite
marks or scars
• Any injuries that do not match a child's description of how they occurred (fracture from falling off sofa, etc.)
• Injuries in the shape of the article used (electric cord, belt, buckle, etc.) and/or injuries that do not match
• Internal bleeding
• Repeated and/or frequent injuries
Indicators of Sexual Abuse
• Difficulty in walking or sitting
• Torn, stained or bloody underclothing
• Pain, swelling or itching in genital area
• Pain when urinating or defecating
• Bruises, bleeding or lacerations in external genitalia, vaginal or anal areas
• Vaginal or penile discharge
• Sexually transmitted disease
• Pregnancy
• Unusual fear of a caregiver
• Unusually close relationship with a caregiver
• Withdrawal, fantasy or infantile behavior
• Compulsive masturbation; excessive or unusual rubbing of the genital area
• Excessive clinging
• Confiding in someone but not telling the whole story ("We have a secret, but I can't tell." Or, "I
want to tell you something but I can't." etc.)
• Dramatic weight loss or gain
• General appearance - a child's appearance improves dramatically, or a child who was previously very concerned
about his or her appearance now shows no interest in it
• Child doesn't want to go home
• Child runs away from home
• Child becomes involved with drugs
• Child becomes involved with alcohol
• Child talks about or attempts suicide
• Child becomes a loner - withdrawn
• Child is extremely sensitive - overreacts to class correction, etc.
• Mood swings
• Overly modest
• Inconsistency in academic performance
• Rebellion
• Emotional outbursts: crying without explanation, unexplained anger
• Excessive daydreaming
• Extreme closeness to someone of same sex (inseparable)
• Difficulty in relating to one sex or the other, poor peer relationships
• Extremely strong, negative reaction to character challenge
• Lying - self preservation - subtle manipulation
• Inconsistency in answering questions directed to him or her
• Regression of younger child (elementary age) - thumb sucking, baby talk, bedwetting or soiling of clothes
• Young child having sophisticated knowledge of sex: inappropriate interest in, knowledge of, or acting out of
sexual matters
• Child acting out physically and/or sexually with peers
• Sexually abused children often have speech or sleep disorders
• They tend to fail to grow normally
• Are very aggressive or withdrawn
• Show an abnormal need for emotional support
• Poor self-image
• Self-destructive behavior
Indicators of Mental Abuse:
• Speech or sleep disorders
• Failure to grow normally
• Slow mental or emotional development
• Sallow, empty facial expression
• Very aggressive or withdrawn
• Abnormal need for emotional support
• Habit disorders: sucking, biting, rocking
• Antisocial behavior
• Hyperactive or disruptive behavior
• Neurotic traits: sleep disorders, inhibited play, unusual fearfulness
• Depression
• Poor self-image
• Isolation - poor peer relationships
• Behavioral extremes: compliant and passive, or aggressive and demanding
• Self-destructive behavior
• Delinquency or 'runaway' behavior
• Alcohol or drug abuse |
|
|
