Indicators of Abuse

Child abuse and neglect can sometimes be difficult to detect and other times can be very clear. The key in protecting children is to report any suspicion that has any piece of evidence behind it. If your suspicions are confirmed by any piece of evidence, no matter how small, report the incident to 1-800-96-ABUSE. It is not your job to prove the abuse or neglect, just to report your suspicions and observations.

Some signs of Physical Abuse:

• Unexplained burns, bruises, black eyes or other injuries.

• Apparent fear of a parent or caretaker.

• Faded bruises or healing injuries after missing school.

• Extreme levels of aggression or withdrawal. May bully other children.

• Hypersensitivity to touch. May flinch when someone raises their hand in the air above them or reaches out to touch them.

• Intentional cruelty to animals.

Some signs of Sexual Abuse:

• Difficulty walking or sitting, or other indications of injury in the genital area.

• Sexual knowledge or behavior beyond what is normal for the child’s age.

• Running away from home.

• Excessive aggression or withdrawal.

• Resistant to changing clothes. Strange dressing habits such as wearing two pairs of underwear or none at all.

Some signs of Emotional Abuse:

• Acting overly mature or immature for the child’s age.

• Extreme changes in behavior.

• Excessive desire to please adults or no desire to please adults.

• Impaired functioning with social activities, sleep, eating, and toilet-training.

• Shows physical signs of anxiety or depression, i.e., pulling out hair, nervous tics.

• Overly suspicious, untrusting, phobic, or pessimistic.

Some signs of Neglect:

• Missing a lot of school.

• Begging for or stealing money or food.

• Lacking needed medical or dental care.

• Frequently dirty.

• Using alcohol or other drugs.

• Indicating there is no supervision at home.

*Information provided by The Family Source