Recognizing Child Abuse or Neglect
Recognizing Child Abuse or Neglect
It is important to note that any one of these things could mean anything or nothing.
- For example, there are many reasons a minor may or may not want to go home on any particular day, or a minor may be overly compliant when they are trying to please a favorite staff
- It is also important to remember that issues related solely to poverty are not considered child abuse or neglect.
However, clusters of two or more of these should raise a red flag:
Potential Signs of Abuse:
- Shows sudden changes in behavior or performance
- Displays overt sexualized behavior or exhibits sexual knowledge that is inconsistent with their age
- Has not received medical attention for a physical injury that has been brought to the parents’ attention
- Has learning problems that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes
- Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
- Is overly compliant, an overachiever, or too responsible
- Comes early, stays late, and does not want to go home
- Seems frightened of the parents/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
Potential Signs of Child Neglect:
- Begs or steals food or money. May stockpile food
- Lacks needed medical or dental care; hygiene problems and body odor
- Lacks age appropriate adult supervision
- Lacks clothing appropriate for the weather
- Reports family violence in the home
- Reports use of illegal substances or excessive use of alcohol by parents or caregivers
- Abuses alcohol or other drugs
- States there is no one at home to provide care
- Malnourished. Very low body weight/height for age
- Often tired, sleepy listless
Physical Indicators:
- Developmental delays
- Wetting bed, pants
- Speech disorders
- Medical issues
Behavioral Indicators:
- Overly compliant or defensive
- Extremely emotional, aggressive, withdrawn, anxious/anxiety disorders, phobias, sleep disorders
- Destructive or anti-social behaviors
- Inappropriate behavior for age
- Suicidal thoughts and behaviors
Physical indicators:
- Difficulty in 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-teens
- Pregnancy
Behavioral Indicators:
- Unwilling to change in front of others or refusing to participate in physical activities (such as swimming)
- Withdrawn, depressed, anxious, aggression, fantasy or infantile behavior
- Bizarre, sophisticated or unusual sexual behavior or knowledge
- Poor peer relationships
- Delinquent or run away
- Reports sexual assault by a caregiver
Additional Information
For more information and resources on Child Abuse and Neglect, visit U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Children’s Bureau.