Recognizing Abuse

Recognizing Child Abuse

The following signs may signal the presence of child abuse or neglect.

The Child:

• Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance.
• Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents’ attention.
• Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes.
• Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen.
• Lacks adult supervision.
• Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn.
• Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home.

The Parent:

• Shows little concern for the child.
• Denies the existence of�or blames the child for�the child’s problems in school or at home.
• Asks teachers or other caretakers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves.
• Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome.
• Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve.
• Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction of emotional needs.

The Parent and Child:

• Rarely touch or look at each other.
• Consider their relationship entirely negative.
• State that they do not like each other.

Types of Abuse

The following are some signs often associated with particular types of child abuse and neglect: physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. It is important to note, however, these types of abuse are more typically found in combination than alone. A physically abused child, for example, is often emotionally abused as well, and a sexually abused child also may be neglected.

Signs of Physical Abuse

• Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the child:
• Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes.
• Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school.
• Seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home.
• Shrinks at the approach of adults.
• Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver.

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver:

• Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child’s injury.
• Describes the child as “evil,” or in some other very negative way.
• Uses harsh physical discipline with the child.
• Has a history of abuse as a child.

Signs of Neglect

Consider the possibility of neglect when the child:

• Is frequently absent from school.
• Begs or steals food or money.
• Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses.
• Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor.
• Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather.
• Abuses alcohol or other drugs.
• States that there is no one at home to provide care.

Consider the possibility of neglect when the parent or other adult caregiver:

• Appears to be indifferent to the child.
• Seems apathetic or depressed.
• Behaves irrationally or in a bizarre manner.
• Is abusing alcohol or other drugs.

Signs of Sexual Abuse

Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the child:

• Has difficulty walking or sitting.
• Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities.
• Reports nightmares or bed wetting.
• Experiences a sudden change in appetite.
• Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior.
• Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under age 14.
• Runs away.
• Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver.

Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver:

• Is unduly protective of the child or severely limits the child’s contact with other children, especially of the opposite sex.
• Is secretive and isolated.
• Is jealous or controlling with family members.

Signs of Emotional Maltreatment

Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the child:

• Shows extremes in behavior, such as overly compliant or demanding behavior, extreme passivity, or aggression.
• Is either inappropriately adult (parenting other children, for example) or inappropriately infantile (frequently rocking or head-banging, for example).
• Is delayed in physical or emotional development.
• Has attempted suicide.
• Reports a lack of attachment to the parent.

Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the parent or other adult caregiver:

• Constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child.
• Is unconcerned about the child and refuses to consider offers of help for the child’s problems.
• Overtly rejects the child.

Resources Identifying Child Abuse and Neglect
www.childwelfare.gov/can/identifying
Resources and information from the Child Welfare Information Gateway website about signs and symptoms of child maltreatment, including training resources.

Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect
www.childwelfare.gov/preventing
Resources and information from the Child Welfare Information Gateway website.

This information used with permission from Child Welfare Information Gateway.