Fast Facts
Child Abuse Fast Facts
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Signs of Physical Abuse
- Physical Indicators
- Unexplained bruises and welts on the face, throat, upper arms, buttocks, thighs or lower back in unusual patterns or shapes which suggests the use of an instrument (belt buckle, electric cord) on an infant in various stages of healing regularly appear after absence, weekend, or vacation
- Unexplained burns cigarette burns, especially found on palms, soles of feet, abdomen, buttocks immersion burns producing “stocking” or “Glove” demarcations on hands and feet; “doughnut shaped” on buttocks or genital area
- rope burns
- infected burns indicating delay in treatment
burns in the shape of common household utensils or appliances
- Behavioral Indicators
- behavioral extremes (withdrawal, aggression, regression, depression)
- inappropriate or excessive fear of parent or caretaker
- antisocial behavior such as substance abuse, truancy, running away fear of going home
- unbelievable or inconsistent explanation for injuries
- lies unusually still while surveying surroundings (for infants)
- unusual shyness, wariness of physical contact
Signs of Sexual Abuse
- Physical Indicators
- torn, stained or bloody underclothes
- frequent, unexplained sore throats, yeast or urinary infections
- somatic complaints, including pain and irritation of the genitals
- sexually transmitted diseases
- bruises or bleeding from external genitalia, vagina or anal region
- pregnancy
- Behavioral Indicators
- the victim’s disclosure of sexual abuse
- regressive behaviors (thumb-sucking, bedwetting, fear of the dark)
- promiscuity or seductive behaviors
- disturbed sleep patterns (recurrent nightmares)
- unusual and age-inappropriate interest in sexual matters
- avoidance of undressing or wearing extra layers of clothes
- sudden decline in school performance, truancy
- difficulty in walking or sitting
Signs of Emotional Abuse
- Physical Indicators
- eating disorders, including obesity or anorexia
- speech disorders (stuttering, stammering)
- developmental delays in the acquisition of speech or motor skills
- weight or height level substantially below norm
- flat or bald spots on head (infants)
- nervous disorders (rashes, hives, facial tics, stomach aches)
- Behavioral Indicators
- habit disorders (biting, rocking, head-banging)
- cruel behavior, seeming to get pleasure from hurting children, adults or animals; seeming to get pleasure from being mistreated
- age-inappropriate behaviors (bedwetting, wetting, soiling)
- behavioral extremes; overly compliant-demanding; withdrawn-aggressive; listless-excitable
Signs of Neglect
- Physical Indicators
- poor hygiene, including lice, scabies, severe or untreated diaper rash, bedsores, body odor
- squinting
- unsuitable clothing; missing key articles of clothing (underwear, socks shoes); overdressed or underdressed for climate conditions
- untreated injury or illness
- lack of immunizations
- indicators or prolonged exposure to elements (excessive sunburn, insect bites, colds)
- height and weight significantly below age level














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OUR MISSION: To educate the public on child abuse signs & symptoms, statistics, intervention, reporting, prevention & assist victims & survivors in locating the proper resources necessary to enable & achieve a full recovery.
Alyssa Says:
usually…i think itss the father or male adult in the house who abuses the kids
Posted on July 10th, 2011 at 11:09 pm
jennifer Says:
i believe abuse is wrong i am 15 years old i was abused for 12 years and even though it has been 3 years scence all of this has happened i have places on me such as scars burns and body parts that really hurt me alot i do not understand why people must be so rude to abuse there own child for christ sake. i believe man or women should both be sentinced to life for abusing a child rapeing a child or verbely abusing all of this i have been through i didnt like it one bit im sure all of this other poor kids dont either i pray for them everynight
Posted on February 1st, 2012 at 9:15 am