Signs of child abuse:
1. Child shows sudden change in behaviour or school performance
2. Child is always watchful, as if preparing for something bad that is going to happen
3. Comes to school early, stays until very late, reluctant to go home
4. Has learning problems that cannot be attributed to any specific physical/psychological conditions
5. Child has not received help for medical problems brought to the parents attention
6. Parent shows little concern for the child
7. Parent sees child as entirely worthless/burdensome
8. Parent demands a level of physical/academic achievement that is unattainable by the child
Types of abuse:
Physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and sexual abuse.
Physical abuse: Signs (child)
-Unexplained bruises/broken bones/burns/bites
-Fading bruises/marks noticable after a period of absence from school
-Scared of parents
-Reports of injury inflicted by parents/caretakers
Physical abuse: Signs (adult abusing child)
-Uses harsh physical discipline on child
-Describes child in a negative way
-Has history of being abused as a child
-Offers conflicting reports on how child sustains injuries
Emotional abuse: Signs (child)
-Extreme behaviour (extremely passive/agressive/compliant)
-Inappropriately mature/infantile
-Has attempted suicide
-Delayed physical/emotional development
-Lack of attachment to parents
Emotional abuse: Signs (adult abusing child)
-Frequently blames/berates/belittles child
-Rejects the child
-Lack of concern towards child, refuses to consider offers of help for child
Neglect: Signs (child)
-Frequently absent from school
-Begs or steals food/money
-Lacks required medical care
-Abuses alcohol/drugs
-Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather
Neglect: Signs (adult neglecting child)
-Indifferent towards child
-Apathetic/depressed
-Abuses alcohol/drugs
-Behaves in an irrational manner
Sexual abuse: Signs (child)
-Nightmares/bedwetting
-Sudden change in appetite
-Sophisticated/unusual/bizarre sexual behaviour/knowledge
-Becomes pregnant/contracts a STI, especially if under the age of 14
-Runs away
-Reports sexual abuse by parent/caregiver
Sexual abuse: Signs (adult abusing child)
-Secretive/isolated
-Jealous/controlling with other family members
-Severely limits child's contact with other children, especially those of the opposite sex
Stories (severe child abuse):
-A toddler was found with chemical burns on her face, hands and eyes, hemorrhages in both eyes, about 50 cuts on her hands, 7 broken bones in one hand and five in the other. Other injuries consistent with blunt force trauma were also found. They were inflicted by her mother and her live-in boyfriend.
-A toddler's arm was broken so badly by his aunt's boyfriend that it may need to be amputated. The boyfriend also strangled the toddler until he nearly passed out with a necklace.
- Bernadette
Labels: (Child) Abuse
