ABUSE INDICATORS
It is important for you to know how to recognize child abuse. Each type
of child abuse has behavioral and physical indicators.
Emotional Abuse:
continual attitude or acts, which interfere with a child's psychological
or social development.
Emotional
Abuse Physical Indicators:
Eating disorders
Speech disorders, such as stuttering
Weight or height significantly below the norm
Flat or bald spot on infant's head
Nervous disorders such as hives, rashes, facial tics, or stomachaches
Emotional
Abuse Behavorial Indicators:
Habit disorders, such as biting, rocking, head banging
Regressive behaviors, such as thumb sucking, "baby talk", etc.
Poor relations with peers
Self-isolation
Cruel behavior to other children or animals
Substance abuse, excessive risk taking, suicide attempts, prostitution,
delinquency
Fire setting
Physical Abuse:
act that results in non-accidental injury or threat of harm to
a child.
Physical
Abuse - Physical Indicators:
Unexplained, chronic or repeated brusing
Unexplained burns
Other unexplained or repeated injuries
Physical
Abuse - Behavioral Indicators:
Behavioral extremes (withdrawal, aggression, regression)
Excessive fear of the parent or caregiver
Unusual shyness, wariness of physical contact
Attempt to hide injuries
Depression, excessive crying
Antisocial behavior, such as substance abuse, truancy, or running away
Sexual Abuse: any
sexually natured act upon or with a child.
Sexual Abuse - Physical Indicators:
Somatic complaints, including pain and irritation of the
genitals
Sexually transmitted diseases
Pregnancy
Bruises or bleeding from external genital, vagina or anal region
Genital discharge
Torn, stained, or bloody underclothes
Frequent, unexplained sore throats, yeast or urinary infections
Sexual Abuse
- Behavioral Indicators:
Poor peer relationships, inability to relate to children of
same age
Regressive behaviors, such as thumb sucking, bedwetting, fear
of the dark
Sudden changes in behavior
Promiscuity, seductive behavior, or prostitution
Aggression or delinquency
Truancy or chronic running away
Substance Abuse
Relunctance to participate in recreational activity
Recurrent nightmares, disturbed sleep patterns, or fear of the dark
Sudden decline in school performance
In young children, preoccupation with sexual organs (his/her, parents',
or other children's)
