Signs of Neglect or Abuse
Potential Signs of Physical Abuse
A child who exhibits any of the following signs may be a victim of physical abuse:
- Has unexplained injuries/marks, such as burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes
- Is reluctant to explain injuries after returning home from being in someone else’s care
- Seems scared, anxious, depressed, withdrawn, or aggressive
- Seems frightened of a parent or parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home
- Shrinks at the approach of adults
- Shows unusual changes in eating and sleeping habits
- Reports injury or abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver
- Abuses animals or pets
Consider the possibility of physical abuse when a parent or other caregiver:
- Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for a child’s injury or provides an explanation that is inconsistent with an injury
- Shows little concern for a child or a child’s injuries
- Sees a child as entirely bad, burdensome, or worthless
- Uses harsh physical discipline with a child
- Has a history of abusing animals or pets
Potential Signs of Neglect
A child who exhibits the following signs may be a victim of neglect:
- Is frequently absent from school
- Begs or steals food or money
- Lacks needed medical care, including dental or vision care
- 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:
- Appears to be indifferent to a child
- Seems apathetic or depressed
- Behaves irrationally or in a bizarre manner
- Abuses alcohol or other drugs
- Repeatedly leaves younger children outside or alone with no visible caregiver
Potential Signs of Sexual Abuse
A child who exhibits any of the following signs may be a victim of sexual abuse:
- Has difficulty walking or sitting
- Experiences bleeding, bruising, or swelling in the genital area
- Suddenly refuses to go to school
- Reports nightmares or wets the bed
- Engages in self-harm, including cutting, burning, or otherwise hurting his or herself
- Has a sudden change in appetite or shows signs of an eating disorder
- Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior or displays inappropriate sexual behavior with other children or adults
- 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:
- Tries to be a child’s friend rather than maintaining an appropriate adult role
- Repeatedly compliments the child’s physical appearance or requests pictures inappropriate to the adult’s role
- Flatters the child into thinking that their relationship is a secret or romantic
- Makes up excuses to be alone with a child
- Talks with a child about the adult’s personal problems or relationships
- Exposes a child to inappropriate media of a sexual nature, including pornography
Potential Signs of Mental Injury
A child who exhibits the following signs may be a victim of mental injury:
- Shows extremes in behavior, such as being overly compliant or demanding, extremely passive, or aggressive
- Either inappropriately assumes the role of an adult in the home (e.g., parents or protects other children), acts inappropriately infantile, or engages in self-harm, including display of repetitive behaviors such as rocking or head-banging
- Does not seem to be attached to the parent/caregiver
- Demonstrates a noticeable decline in cognitive abilities or self care
Consider the possibility of mental injury when the parent or other adult caregiver:
- Constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child
- Describes the child negatively
- Overtly rejects the child
- Excessively takes an apparently healthy child for medical appointments with different doctors or experts, seemingly rejecting the advice of medical professionals
If you suspect a child is being harmed, reporting your suspicions may protect the child and help the family receive assistance. Any concerned person can report a suspicion of child abuse or neglect. Reporting your concerns is not making an accusation; rather, it is a request for an investigation or assessment to determine if help is needed. You do not need actual proof of child abuse or neglect; it is the responsibility of the local department of social services to determine if abuse or neglect occurred. You have the absolute right to remain anonymous as a reporter.