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)