Signs of Physical Abuse (of a child)
These are very general and broad signs, be advised that there are a lot of other significant signs
Bruises, welts on the face, neck, chest and back
Injuries in the shape of an object (belt, cord, etc)
Unexplained burns on palms, soles of feet, back
Fractures that do not fit the story of how an injury occurred Delay in seeking medical help
Emotional Signs of Abuse (of a child)
Extremes in behavior; very aggressive or withdrawn and shy
Afraid to go home
Frightened of parents (or caretaker)
Fearful of other adults
Signs of Sexual Abuse (of a child)
Physical Signs:
Pain, swelling or itching in the genital area
Unusual interest in sex for age
Drastic change in school achievement
Runaway or delinquent
Regressive or childlike behavior
Fear, anxiety, depression and/or anger
Younger children who have been sexually abused may have
poor self esteem
And difficulty with relationships
Older children and teenagers may out our there hurt by using
drugs, alcohol or
Having sex
What should I do if I suspect a child is being sexually abused?
When a child tells you that he or she is being abused, you
should:
Avoid denial and remain calm. A common reaction to child
abuse is shock and denial. However, if you display to a child, or
show shock or disgust at what they are saying, the child may be
afraid to continue and will shut down. As hard as it may be,
remain as calm and reassuring as you can.
Don’t Interrogate. Let the child explain it to you in his/her own
words what happened, but don’t interrogate the child or ask
leading questions. This may confuse and fluster the child an
make it harder for them to communicate their story.
Reassure the child that he/she has done nothing wrong. It takes
a lot for a child to come forward about abuse. Reassure him or
her that you take what is said seriously, and that it is not the
child’s fault.
Call your local child protective services agency or law
enforcement.
How can I help a child heal?
You can help a child reduce the long term effects of sexual
abuse by:
Believing the child
Telling the child it is not their fault
Helping the child identify a professional therapist or counselor to
talk about the abuse
And their feelings.