Indicators of Child Abuse

Physical, Sexual, Emotional, and Neglect

How do parents react to disabilities?

They try to deal with the “symbolic death syndrome,” and

They try to provide the necessary daily care

Hard facts about disabilities and families

Odds of divorce go up by two

Odds of child abuse go up by five

Physical abuse--physical symptoms

Unexplained bruises and welts

on face, lips, or mouth

on torso, back, buttocks, or thighs

pattern/clusters

In various stages of healing

shaped like recognizable object (like a belt buckle)

appear regularly after child is at home

Physical symptoms/physical 2

Unexplained burns

by cigars, cigarettes, especially on soles, palms, back, or buttocks

Immersion in hot liquid

recognizable form like range coils

by rope on arms, legs, neck, or torso

Physical Abuse-physical-3 of 4

Unexplained fractures of skull, nose, or facial bones

in various stages of healing in multiple locations

Physical/physical 4

Unexplained lacerations or abrasions

on mouth, lips, gums, or eyes on external genitalia

Physical abuse, behavioral indicators

Wary of adult contacts Apprehensive when OTHER

children cry Extreme aggressiveness or

extreme withdrawal Fear of parents/fear of going home Reports of injury by parents

Sexual Abuse

Hard fact--of children under age 18, three of four WILL EXPERIENCE some form of sexual abuse (not experimentation) by the time they are 18. Studies show it . . .

Sexual abuse--physical indicators

Difficulty in walking or sitting

torn, stained, or bloody underclothes

Pain or itching in genital area

Bruises or bleeding in genital, vaginal, or anal areas

Venereal disease Pregnancy

Sexual abuse--behavioral

Unwillingness to change clothing or to participate in physical education classes

Bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual behavior or knowledge

Reporting of sexual assaults

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse--physical symptoms

Speech disorders Lag in physical development Severe allergies, asthma, or ulcers Alcohol or drug abuse

Emotional abuse--behavioral symptoms--1

Habit disorders such as thumb sucking, lip biting, or rocking

Antisocial or destructive conduct Psychoneurotic traits such as

hysteria, obsessions, compulsions, phobias, hypochondria

Emotional abuse--behavioral (2)

Behavior extremes of compliance or aggression

Inappropriate adult or infantile behavior

Mental and emotional developmental lags

Suicide threats or attempts

Neglect

Neglect--physical

Consistent hunger Poor hygiene Inappropriate

dress Unattended

physical problems

Unattended medical needs including dental

Alcohol or drug abuse

Neglect--behavioral indicators

Begging or stealing food Early arrivals and late departures Constant fatigue or listlessness Chronic delinquency, especially

thefts Reporting of no caretaker at home

Mandatory reporting

Each of the 50 states has a mandatory reporting for

person such as teachers who may suspect abuse