Indicators 

of Child Abuse/Neglect

Physical Abuse

• PHYSICAL INDICATORS

  • Unexplained Bruises and Welts:

    • on face, lips, mouth

    • on torso, back, buttocks, thighs

    • in various stages of healing

    • clustered, forming regular patterns

    • reflecting shape of article used to inflict (electric cord, belt buckle)

    • on several different surface areas

    • regularly appear after absence, weekend or vacation

  • Unexplained Burns:

    • cigar, cigarette burns, especially on soles, palms, back or buttocks

    • immersion burns (sock-like, glove-like, doughnut shaped on buttocks or genitalia)

    • patterned like electric burner, iron, etc.

    • rope burns on arms, legs, neck or torso

  • Unexplained Fractures:

    • to skull, nose, facial structure

    • in various stages of healing

    • multiple or spiral fractures

  • Unexplained Lacerations or Abrasions:

    • to mouth, lips, gums, eyes

    • to external genitalia  

• BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS

  • Wary of Adult Contacts

  • Apprehensive When Other Children Cry

  • Behavioral Extremes:

    -  Aggressiveness, or

    -  Withdrawal

  • Frightened of Parents Afraid To Go Home

  • Reports Injury by Parents  

Physical Neglect

• PHYSICAL INDICATORS  

  • Consistent Hunger, Poor Hygiene, Inappropriate Dress

  • Consistent lack of Supervision, Especially in Dangerous Activities or Long Periods

  • Unattended Physical Problems or Medical Needs

  • Abandonment  

• BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS

  • Begging, Stealing Food

  • Extended stays at school (early arrival and late departure)

  • Constant Fatigue, Listless-ness, or Falling Asleep in Class

  • Alcohol or Drug Abuse

  • Delinquency (e.g. thefts) States

  • There is No Caretaker  

Sexual Abuse

• 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 for Gym or Participate in Physical Education Class

  • Withdrawal, Fantasy or Infantile Behavior

  • Bizarre, Sophisticated, or Unusual Sexual Behavior or Knowledge

  • Poor Peer Relationships

  • Delinquent or Runaway

  • Reports Sexual Assault by Caretaker  

Emotional Maltreatment

• PHYSICAL INDICATORS

  • Speech Disorders

  • Lags in Physical Development Failure-to-thrive  

• BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS

  • Habit Disorders (Sucking, biting, rocking, etc)

  • Conduct Disorders (antisocial, destructive, etc)

  • Neurotic Traits (sleep disorders, inhibition of play)

  • Psychoneurotic Reactions (hysteria, obsession, compulsion, phobias, hypochondria)

  • Behavioral Extremes:

    -  compliant, passive or

    -  aggressive, demanding

  • Overly Adaptive Behavior:

    -  Inappropriately adult

    -  Inappropriately infant

  • Developmental Lags (mental, emotional)

  • Attempted Suicide