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Office of Ethics, Compliance,
and Risk

 

Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect

Signs of Abuse:

Signs of General Maltreatment

The following signs of general maltreatment can help determine whether a child needs help:

 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  • Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn 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 
  • Is reluctant to be around a particular person 
  • Discloses maltreatment 
     

Parent: 

  • Denies the existence of—or blames the child for— the child’s problems in school or at home 
  • Asks teachers or other caregivers 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 the parent’s emotional needs 
  • Shows little concern for the child
Signs of Physical Abuse

A child who exhibits the following signs may be a victim of physical abuse:

  • Has unexplained injuries, such as burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes 
  • Has fading bruises or other noticeable marks after an absence from school 
  • Seems scared, anxious, depressed, withdrawn, or aggressive 
  • Seems frightened of his or her parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home 
  • Shrinks at the approach of adults 
  • Shows changes in eating and sleeping habits 
  • Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver 
  • Abuses animals or pets 

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when a parent or other adult caregiver exhibits the following (Prevent Child Abuse America, 2018): 

  • Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child’s injury or provides an explanation that is not consistent with the injury 
  • Shows little concern for the child  
  • Sees the child as entirely bad, burdensome, or worthless 
  • Uses harsh physical discipline with the child 
  • Has a history of abusing animals or pets
Signs of Neglect

A child who exhibits the following signs may be a victim of neglect (Tracy, 2018a):

  • Is frequently absent from school 
  • Begs or steals food or money 
  • Lacks needed medical care (including immunizations), dental care, 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 a parent or other caregiver exhibits the following (Tracy, 2018b): 

  • Appears to be indifferent to the child 
  • Seems apathetic or depressed 
  • Behaves irrationally or in a bizarre manner 
  • Abuses alcohol or other drugs
Signs of Sexual Abuse

A child who exhibits the following signs may be a victim of sexual abuse (American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychology, 2014; Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network [RAINN], 2018a): 

  • Has difficulty walking or sitting 
  • Experiences bleeding, bruising, or swelling in their private parts 
  • Suddenly refuses to go to school
  • Reports nightmares or bedwetting 
  • Experiences a sudden change in appetite 
  • Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior 
  • Becomes pregnant or contracts a sexually transmitted disease, particularly if under age 14 
  • Runs away 
  • Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver 
  • Attaches very quickly to strangers or new adults in their environment

Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when a parent or other caregiver exhibits the following (RAINN, 2018b): 

  • Tries to be the child’s friend rather than assume an adult role 
  • Makes up excuses to be alone with the child 
  • Talks with the child about the adult’s  personal problems or relationships 
Signs of Emotional Maltreatment

A child who exhibits the following signs may be a victim of emotional maltreatment (Prevent Child Abuse America, 2016): 

  • Shows extremes in behavior, such as being overly compliant or demanding, extremely passive, or aggressive Is either inappropriately adult (e.g., parenting other children) or inappropriately infantile (e.g., frequently rocking or head-banging) 
  • Is delayed in physical or emotional development 
  • Shows signs of depression or suicidal thoughts 
  • Reports an inability to develop emotional bonds with others

Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the parent or other adult caregiver exhibits the following (Prevent Child Abuse America, 2016): 

  • Constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child 
  • Describes the child negatively 
  • Overtly rejects the child

 

Report Abuse of a Minor

These resources contain helpful information about recognizing signs of abuse and neglect.