Telltale signs of child abuse are evident
Few things are more disturbing than the thought of a child being abused.
As part of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, local organizations are stressing the need for public education on how to identify possible signs of child abuse and how to report abuse.
“There are just so many [signs],” said Jana Conlee, forensic interviewer and therapist with Child Protect Children’s Advocacy Center.
Possible signs depend on the type of abuse. There are basically four different types of abuse — physical, sexual, emotional and neglect.
Physical abuse is the inflicting of physical injury upon a child. Sexual abuse includes inappropriate sexual behavior between a guardian or caregiver and a child (acts committed by a stranger would be considered sexual assault).
Emotional abuse can be bizarre forms of punishment, such as confinement in a closet or dark room; belittling or rejecting treatment; using derogatory terms to describe the child; or habitual scapegoating or blaming.
Neglect is the failure to provide for the child’s basic needs. Neglect can be physical (not providing adequate food, clothing, medical care or supervision), educational (failure to provide appropriate schooling, or allowing excessive truancies) or emotional (lack of emotional support and love).
Signs can be either physical or behavioral.
mode While physical indicators may be the most obvious, behavioral indicators are just as important, if not more so, Conlee said.
“It can be any extreme of behavior,” Conlee said. “Some kids might become more withdrawn, but some kids get angry and act it out at school and home.”
The folowing is a list of some physical and behavioral indicators of abuse:
?Signs of physical abuse — unexplained bruises, welts, human bite marks or bald spots; evidence of delayed or inappropriate treatment for injuries; extreme behavior; staying late at school; wearing clothing inappropriate to weather; and bizarre explanations of injuries.
?Signs of sexual abuse — pain, swelling or itching in the genital area; frequent urinary tract infections; poor self-esteem; peer problems; and massive weight change.
?Signs of emotional abuse — speech disorders, delayed physical development, habit disorders (sucking, rocking, biting), antisocial behavior or delinquent behavior.
?Signs of neglect — consistent lack of supervision,
mode hunger, inappropriate dress, poor hygiene, regular fatigue and frequent tardiness
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