RECOGNIZING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT CHILD ABUSE can

RECOGNIZING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

CHILD ABUSE can be…. . • Acts (doing something to injure a child) • Omissions (not doing or taking actions necessary to protect a child

CHILD ABUSE INCLUDES…. . • Physical Abuse • Emotional Abuse • Neglect • Sexual

PHYSICAL ABUSE • Non-accidental injury • May include beating, burning, strangulation, bites

SIGNS OF PHYSICAL ABUSE • Unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, head injuries, or black eyes • Seems frightened of parents or guardians • Shrinks at the approach of adults • Is frightened of physical contact, esp. with adults

REMEMBER… • Children fall and it is normal for them to have scraped elbows, chins, foreheads, etc. • Physical abuse will injure parts of the body that normally don’t have marks from everyday childhood accidents.

PHYSICAL NEGLECT • There are 3 or 5 times more cases of neglect than physical abuse. • Neglect can permanently damage every aspect of a child’s development, both physical and emotional.

SIGNS OF NEGLECT…. • Frequent absences • Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses • Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor • Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather • Is sleepy or lethargic • Excessively seeks attention, esp. from adults

EMOTIONAL ABUSE • Blaming, belittling, ridiculing, badgering, and constantly ignoring a child’s emotional needs

SIGNS OF EMOTIONAL ABUSE • Extremes in behavior—either overly aggressive or overly passive • Either inappropriately adult or inappropriately infantile • Shows failure to thrive • Lack of attachment to the parent/guardian

SEXUAL ABUSE • Using a child for any sexual contact or in a sexual situation

FACTS ABOUT SEXUAL ABUSE • 75% of the offenders are known to the child or the child’s family • 90% of the victims are girls • Greatest risk is for children under the age of three

SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE • Child has difficulty walking or sitting • Suddenly refuses to change for gym classes or to participate in physical activities • Demonstrates strange, sophisticated or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior

SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE • Physical signs of abuse in genital area • Chronic stomach aches or other physical complaints • Reports of abuse to parent/guardian or other adult caregivers