How to Recognize Child Abuse and Neglect
Child's Behavior
| Sexual Abuse Indicators |
Physical Abuse Indicators |
| Sexual Acting Out |
| Angry, Hostile, Aggressive |
| Change In Behavior. (outgoing becomes withdrawn) |
| Nightmares, Bedwetting, Fear of Dark |
| Reluctance or fear of a Person or of Certain Places |
| Change in School Grades, or Attention Span |
| Advanced Sexual Knowledge and/or Interest in Sexual Acts or Terminology |
| Regression to Babyish Habits |
| Masturbates Excessively |
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| Wary of Physical Contact With Adults |
| Wears Long Sleeves or Other Concealing Clothing (usually to hide injuries) |
| Child's Story of How Injury Occurred is Not Believable |
| Shows Little or No Distress in Being Separated From Parents |
| Apt To Seek Affection From Any Adult |
| Constantly On Alert For Danger, Chronically Suspicious |
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Physical Signs
| Sexual Abuse Indicators |
Physical Abuse Indicators |
| The Most Difficult Type Of Abuse To Detect Because There Are No Warning Signs |
| Irritated or Reddened Genitals |
| Unusual Smell or Discharge From Genitals |
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| Unusual Bruises On Places Not Common With Childhood Injuries |
| Bite Marks |
| Unexplained Burns |
| Unexplained Fractures |
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Offender's Behavior
| Sexual Abuse Indicators |
Physical Abuse Indicators |
| Extreme Over Protectiveness Toward Child |
| Extreme Parental Dominance in Home |
| Socially Isolated |
| Sexually Abused As Child |
| Interchange of Mother and Daughter Roles |
| See Child as Seductive |
| Refer to Children in Sexual Manner |
| Use Gifts And Favors As a Way To Relate With Children |
| Invite Children Over to Their Home |
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| History of Abuse As Child |
| Unrealistic Expectations of Child |
| Uses Harsh Discipline That Isn't Age, Condition or Offense Appropriate |
| Seems Unconcerned About Child |
| Emphasizes Bad Qualities Instead of Good Qualities of Child |
| Seldom Looking At or Touching Child |
| Showing No Concern About the Injury, Treatment or Prognosis |
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