On the previous page we talked about the abuser. This page will deal with the clues that a child may provide if they are abused or neglected. As before this information is from the Ohio Department of Human Services.
Although some forms of abuse and neglect are more difficult to detect than others, there always are signs-clues-which, singly or together, suggest that a child might be in need of help. Two types of clues are usually given by an abused or neglected child:
Physical Indicators:these clues are the easiest to detect and diagnose. Aspects of the child's appearance and the presence of bodily injury are physical indicators.
Behavioral Indicators:Often, children will send messages through their behavior which suggest the occurrence of abuse or neglect. These clues amy be in the form of "acting out" behaviors or behaviors which reflect the child's attempt to cope with or hide the abuse or neglect. Behavioral indicators are more difficult to detect and interpret than physical indicators.
Physical Indicators:
~Unexplained, chronic, or repeated bruising.
Be especially alert to bruises:
-on the face, throat, upper arms, buttocks, thighs, or lower back
-in
unusual patterns or shapes which suggest the use of an instrument (loop, lash,
linear, circular, or rectangular marks)
-on an infant
-in the shape of
bite or pinch mark
-in clusters
-in various stages of healing.
~Unexplained burns.
be especially alert
to:
-cigarette burns. This type of burn is circular, and often found
on the child's palms, sole of feet, genitalia, or abdomen.
-immersion burns.
These burns characteristically will produce sharp lines of demarcation and
appear on the buttocks, genital area, or extremities. On the hands and feet,
burns can produce a "glove" or "stocking" effect; on the
buttocks, immersion burns often will be "doughnut shaped."
-rope
burns
-burns in the shape of common household utensils or appliances
~unexplained skeletal injuries.
Skeletal
injuries resulting from physical abuse often include:
-injury to the facial structure, skull, and bones around the joints
-fractures
and dislocations caused by a severe blow or twisting or pulling of the arm or
leg
-any skeletal injury in an infant.
~Other unexplained or repeated injuries
Injuries
resulting from physical abuse often include:
-lacerations, abrasions, welts, scars, human bite or pinch marks
-missing,
chipped, or loosened teeth, tearing of the gum tissue, lips, tongue, and skin
surrounding the mouth
-loss of hair/bald patches
-broken eardrum
-retinal
hemorrhage
-abdominal injuries
Behavioral Indicators:
-behavioral extremes (withdrawal, aggression, regression)
-inappropriate
or excessive fear of parent or caretaker
-unusual shyness, wariness of
physical contact
-antisocial behavior, such as substance abuse, truancy,
running away
-reluctance to return home
-belief that punishment is
deserved
-suggestion that other children should be punished in a harsh
manner
-victim's disclosure of abuse
-depression, excessive crying
-unbelievable
or inconsistent explanation for injuries
-attempt to hid injuries
Physical Indicators:
-somatic complaints, including pain and irritation of the genitals
-sexually
transmitted disease
-pregnancy
-bruises or bleeding from external
genitalia, vagina, or anal region
-frequent, unexplained sore throats, yeast
or urinary infections.
Behavioral Indicators:
-the victim's disclosure of the sexual abuse
-poor peer
relationships, inability to relate to children of same age
-regressive
behaviors, such as thumbsucking, bedwetting, fear of the dark, or reattachment
to a favorite toy
-sudden changes in behavior
-promiscuity or seductive
behavior
-truancy or chronic running away
-prostitution
-substance
abuse
-difficulty in walking or sitting
-reluctance to participate in
recreational activity
-in young children, preoccupation with his sexual
organs, his parents', or other children's
-recurrent nightmares, disturbed
sleep patterns, or fear of the dark
-unusual and age-inappropriate interest
in sexual matters
-age-inappropriate ways of expressing affection
-avoidance
of undressing or wearing extra layers of clothes
-sudden avoidance of
certain familiar adults or places
-sudden decline in school performance
Except regarding bizarre and deviant behavior, there is a wide range of opinion of what is emotionally abusive or neglectful. Some argue that spanking is a degrading experience, humiliating to a child, while others regard physical discipline as a necessary parental behavior. The Model Child Protection Act, developed by the National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, provides criteria to aid in identifying emotional maltreatment.
-Emotional maltreatment causes emotional or mental injury.
-The
effect of emotional maltreatment can be observed in the child's abnormal
behavior and performance
-The effect of emotional maltreatment constitutes a
handicap to the child
-The effect of emotional maltreatment is lasting
rather than temporary
Physical Indicators:
-eating disorder, including obesity or anorexia
-speech
disorders, such as stuttering or stammering
-developmental delays in the
acquisition of speech or motor skills
-weight or height level substantially
below the norm
-flat or bald spots on an infant's head
-frequent
vomiting
-nervous disorders, such as hives, rashes, facial tics, or
stomachaches
Behavioral Indicators:
-Habit disorders, such as biting, rocking, head banging
-regressive
behaviors, such as thumbsucking, "baby talk", bedwetting in an older
child, wetting or soiling by school-age child
-poor relations with peers
-withdrawal
or self-isolation
-cruel behavior, seeming to get pleasure from hurting
children, adults, or animals; seeming to get pleasure from being mistreated
-substance
abuse, excessive risk taking, suicide attempts, severe depression, prostitution,
delinquency
-firesetting
-age-inappropriate behavior
-loss of touch
with reality, frequently daydreaming, hallucinating, overfantasizing
-behavioral
extremes; overly compliant-demanding; withdrawn-aggressive; listless-excitable
Indicators of neglect must be considered in light of the parent's cultural mores and financial ability to provide. Poverty is not neglect. Because many situations of neglect require judgement calls, you must be careful not to use personal values as the decision-making standard. Instead, ask yourself if the child is:
-adequately supervised?
-appropriately and sufficiently clothed
for the weather?
-clean and practicing good hygiene?
-receiving
necessary medical and dental care?
-having his nutritional needs met?
-assured
of a safe, warm, and sanitary shelter?
-receiving adequate love and
emotional support?
-receiving necessary developmental and educational
stimulation?
Physical Indicators:
-chronic uncleanliness or poor hygiene, including lice, scabies,
severe or untreated diaper rash, bedsores, body odor
-squinting
-unsuitable
clothing, missing key articles of clothing such as underwear, socks, shoes, or
coat; or overdressed in hot weather
-untreated illness or injury
-excessive
sunburn, colds, insect bites, or other conditions which would indicate prolonged
exposure to the elements
-height and weight significantly below age level
-lack
of immunizations
Behavioral Indicators:
-unusual school attendance, such as frequent or chronic absence,
lateness, coming to school early or leaving late
-chronic hunger, tiredness,
or lethargy
-substance abuse
-assuming adult responsibilities
-reporting
no caretaker in home
-vandalism or delinquency
These are general information under each topic. Please contact
your state for more information if you think a child is suffering from abuse or
neglect to find out more.
The following pages will go into
distinguishing abuse from an accident, preventing child abuse, and how to
report it. I hope that these pages are informing people on the this very
serious subject. Thank you for taking the time to read how to Identify Abuse
and Neglect. Distinguishing Abuse from An Accident