INDICATORS OF CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT

PHYSICAL CHILD ABUSE

Child abuse comes in many forms. Different types of abuse and neglect have different physical and behavioral indicators.

PHYSICAL INDICATORS:

UNEXPLAINED BRUISES AND WELTS:

• On face, lips, mouth
• On torso, back, buttocks, thighs
• In various stages of healing
• Cluster, forming regular patterns
• Reflecting shape of article used to inflict (electric cord, belt buckle)
• On several different surface areas
• Regularly appear after absence, weekend or vacation

UNEXPLAINED BURNS:

• Cigar, cigarette burns, especially on soles, palms, back or buttocks
• Immersion burns (sock-like, glove-like doughnut shaped on buttocks or genitalia)
• Patterned like electric burner, iron, etc.
• Rope burns on arms, legs, neck or torso

UNEXPLAINED FRACTURES:

• To skull, nose, facial structure
• In various stages of healing
• Multiple or spiral fractures

UNEXPLAINED LACERATIONS & ABRASIONS:

• To mouth, lips, gums, eyes
• To limbs and buttocks
• To external genitalia

BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS:

• Wary of adult contact
• Apprehensive when other children cry

BEHAVIORAL EXTREMES:

• Aggressiveness
• Withdrawal
• Frightened of parents
• Afraid to go home
• Reports injury by parents

PHYSICAL NEGLECT

PHYSICAL INDICATORS:

• Consistent hunger, poor hygiene, inappropriate dress
• Consistent lack of supervision, especially in dangerous activities or long periods
• Constant fatigue or listlessness
• Unattended physical problems or medical needs
• Abandonment

BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS:

• Begging, stealing food
• Extended stays at school (early arrival and late departure)
• Constantly falling asleep in class
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Delinquency (e.g. thefts)
• States there is no caregiver

EMOTIONAL CHILD MALTREATMENT

PHYSICAL INDICATORS:

• Habit disorders (sucking, biting, rocking, etc.)
• Conduct disorders (antisocial, destructible, etc.)
• Neurotic traits (sleep disorders, speech disorders, inhibition of play)

BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS:

BEHAVIORAL EXTREMES:

• Compliant, passive
• Aggressive, demanding

OVERLY ADOPTIVE BEHAVIOR:

• Inappropriately adult behavior
• Inappropriately infant behavior

SEXUAL CHILD ABUSE

PHYSICAL INDICATORS:

• Difficulty walking or sitting
• Torn, stained or bloody underclothing
• Pain or itching in genital area
• Bruises or bleeding in external genitalia, vaginal or anal areas
• Venereal disease, especially in pre-teen’s
• Pregnancy

BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS:

• Unwilling to change for gym or participate in PE
• Withdrawn, fantasy or infantile behavior
• Bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual behavior or knowledge
• Poor peer-to-peer relationships
• Delinquent or run away
• Reports sexual assault by caregiver

Information Courtesy of the Department of Children and Families, NJ | 2014