Your Progress
0%

Physical Abuse Warning Signs

Physical Indicators

  • Bruises more numerous than expected from explanation of incident
  • Unexpected bruises or welt marks in various stages of healing
  • Adults/human bite marks
  • Bald spots, missing clumps of hair
  • Unexplained fractures, lacerations, abrasions
  • Puncture wounds that resemble distinctive objects

Behavioral Indicators

  • Self-destructive/self-mutilation
  • Uncomfortable/skittish with physical contact
  • Expresses fear of being at home
  • Chronic runaway (adolescents)
  • Complains of soreness or moves uncomfortably
  • Wears clothing inappropriate to weather
  • Lacks impulse control

Physical Neglect Warning Signs

Physical Indicators

  • Distended stomach
  • Emaciated
  • Unattended medical needs
  • Lack of supervision
  • Consistent signs of hunger
  • Inappropriate dress, poor hygiene
  • Sudden or unexplained weight change

Behavioral Indicators

  • Regular displays of fatigue or listlessness
  • Falls asleep at inappropriate times
  • Steals, hoards, begs for food
  • Reports no caretaker at home

Sexual Abuse Warning Signs

Physical Indicators

  • Bruises or bleeding in genital area
  • Sexually transmitted disease
  • Pain or itching in genital area
  • Sudden or unexplained weight change
  • Pregnancy 12 years or under

Behavioral Indicators

  • Withdrawal, chronic depression
  • Sexual behaviors or references unusual for child’s age
  • Seductive or promiscuous behavior
  • Suicide attempts
  • Hysteria, lack of emotional control

Emotional Abuse Warning Signs

  • Delayed or inappropriate emotional development
  • Loss of self-confidence or self-esteem
  • Social withdrawal
  • Depression
  • Headaches or stomachaches with no visible medical cause
  • Avoidance of certain situations, such as not wanting to go home
  • Desperately seeks affection