Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect

Prevent Child Abuse Indiana - A Division of The Villages

3833 N. Meridian St., Suite 101, Indianapolis, IN 46208 317.775.6439

Physical Abuse:
Infliction of physical injury or allowing another to do so.

Physical Indicators:	Behavioral Indicators:
Unexplained bruises Unexplained welts Unexplained burns Unexplained lumps Unexplained bumps Unexplained fractures Unexplained lacerations or abrasions Hemorrhages Burns by cigarettes Burns by immersion Dental/oral injuries	Verbally reports abuse Too eager to please Depression Low self-esteem Behavioral extremes Role reversal Developmental lags Appears frightened of caretaker Apprehensive children cry Exaggerated startle response School absenteeism

Behavioral Indicators of Caretaker:
Harsh disciplinarian, describes child in a consistently negative manner, defensive, conceals or misleads about child's injuries, substance abuser.

If you suspect a child is suffering from physical abuse, report it to
Child Protective Services.

Neglect:
Chronic failure to meet basic needs of a child for food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education or supervision.

Physical Indicators:	Behavioral Indicators:
Flat, bald spots on infant's head Dirty, smelly, torn, dirty or inappropriate clothing for the weather Developmental lags Underweight	Listless Begging/stealing food Constant fatigue Alcohol or drug use Reports being left alone

Behavioral Indicators of Caretaker:
Substance abuser, chaotic life style, apathetic, expects too much of child.

For information on a specific form of medical neglect, click here.

If you suspect a child is suffering from emotional maltreatment, report it to
Child Protective Services.

Sexual Abuse:
Utilization of a child for sexual gratification by an adult or older child in a position of power, or permitting another person to do so. If you suspect a child is suffering from sexual abuse, report it to Child Protective Services.

Physical Indicators:	Behavioral Indicators:
Any venereal disease Bruised/dilated genitals or rectum Pregnancy under 16 years of age Difficulty/pain in walking or sitting Foreign matter in bladder, rectum or urethra Pelvic inflammatory disease Torn, stained or bloody underclothing Recurrent urinary tract infections	Aggressive, overt sexual behavior Drawing pictures of people with genitals or vagina Cruelty to animals without physiological basis Pre-mature knowledge of explicit sexual acts Sleep disorders Taking frequent baths Starting fires Self-inflicted injuries Expresses fear of a particular person or place Reports sexual abuse

Behavioral Indicators of Caretaker:
Extremely protective of family privacy, does not allow child to be involved in extra-curricular activities, does not want child to engage in developmentally appropriate activities i.e. dating, encourages child into prostitution, substance abuser.

For information on sexual abuse, click here.

If you suspect a child is suffering from sexual abuse, report it to
Child Protective Services.

Emotional Maltreatment:

Emotional Neglect - Chronic failure by the caretaker to provide support and affection necessary to develop a sound and healthy personality.

Emotional Abuse - Chronic attitude or acts of a caretaker which are detrimental to the child's development of a sound and healthy personality.

Behavioral Indicators:

Behavioral Indicators
Low self esteem
Difficulty forming positive relationships
Eating disorders
Elimination problems
Speech disorders
Inability to trust
Sleep problems
Sadistic, masochistic
Apathetic
Suicidal
Withdrawal
Anxiety, fear
Developmental lags
Reports emotional maltreatment

Behavioral Indicators of Caretaker:
Rejecting, ignoring, terrorizing, isolating, corrupting.

For information on a specific form of emotional maltreatment, click here.

If you suspect a child is suffering from sexual abuse, report it to
Child Protective Services.