Child Abuse- How Can I Tell?
Jean Helmstetter, MA, CPC


Daycare providers see a variety of children, often from very different backgrounds. They usually do not really know the parents, or the environment from which the children come. Children are unpredictable, active, and often accident-prone. They aren't too concerned about the condition of what they are wearing, the weather, dirty hands, or old bruises. When should the Daycare Provider become alarmed about what they see and hear? When does normal rough-and-tumble living cross over into child abuse? This is a difficult question, because there is NO clear group of signs that says a child is being or has been abused. It usually becomes a judgment call of how bad, how often, how much, and for how long the questionable signs continue.

What signs should a Daycare Provider look for? The following is by no means all inclusive of what happens, and no one child will have all symptoms. Plus, all of these symptoms can happen for various reasons with children who are well adjusted and live in safe, loving homes. These indicators are offered only as a guideline for what is frequently seen in abused children, and should alert the Daycare Provider to be watchful, exercise good judgment, and make a report if it appears that a child is being abused.

Physical indicators of possible abuse can include bruises, burns, fractures, dislocations, marks suggesting restraint by tying up or gagging, bald spots from hair pulling, U shaped bites (animal bites are more V shaped), lacerations, and abrasions. Bruises are often clustered in a specific area and may be found on both sides of the body, such as spanking both sides inconsistent with an accident). There may be evidence of old and new injuries, or the explanation such as falling on the playground does not fit what can be seen such as welts the shape of a belt.

Emotional indicators can include excessive crying, fear, hiding, aggressiveness, being hyper-vigilant, anger,moodiness, or showing little or no emotion as if they just didn't care.

Abuse through neglect is the hardest type to substantiate. Signs may include a consistently dirty child, inappropriate clothing (torn, dirty, same clothes several days in a row, inappropriate for the season), vermin in the hair or on clothing, medical or dental problems that endanger the child not taken care of, indicators of inadequate food (underweight due to not enough food, overweight due to poor diet, constantly hungry), or body odors due to not being bathed. Some behavioral characteristics of neglected children are being overly concerned for needs of the adults or appearing indifferent, being clingy, possessive with objects or games, resentful of other children, stealing, appearing to not trust, may be withdrawn, or may show delayed speech and language development.

Child abuse has been "discovered" many times throughout history, then ignored and buried. Today, a child has the legal right to be safe and protected as well as an ethical right. This has become a double edged sword, both protecting children and also giving them a weapon to use on adults who do not give them what they want. Daycare Providers need to be alert, use good judgment, and document any incidents or accidents that are explained by the parents, or that occur in the daycare facility while the child is in their care.

*Submitted by Sherry

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