Indicators of Child Abuse
The following may indicate the possibility of child abuse:
- Unexplained bruises or injuries, especially in places of the body that children do not normally injure during regular play or movement
- Burns which leave a pattern outlining the object which was used to make the burn, such as a cigarette, an iron, or an electric stove burner; burns on the hands, feet or buttocks caused by scalding water; and rope burns caused by being tied
- A child who is continually hungry, unsuitably dressed for the weather and/or always dirty
- A young child who is often left alone
- A child who is usually aggressive, angry, and hostile to other people
- A child who demonstrates withdrawn behavior, who refuses to participate or dress appropriately for physical activities
- A child who shows unusual knowledge of sexual matters beyond their age of development, who exhibits sexualized behavior around adults or other children
- A child who hints or talks out rightly about sexual abuse
- A child or adolescent who repeatedly runs away from home
- An adolescent who is extremely withdrawn or aggressive
