Recognizing the signs of child abuse

The following signs may signal the presence of child abuse or neglect.

The child:

• Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance;
• Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents' attention;
• Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes;
• Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen;
• Lacks adult supervision;
• Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn;
• Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home.

The parent:

• Shows little concern for the child;
• Denies the existence of — or blames the child for — the child's problems in school or at home;
• Asks teachers or other caregivers to use harsh physical discipline if the child misbehaves;
• Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome;
• Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot achieve;
• Looks primarily to the child for care, attention and satisfaction of emotional needs.

The parent and child:

• Rarely touch or look at each other;
• Consider their relationship entirely negative;
• State that they do not like each other.

Types of Abuse

The following are some signs often associated with particular types of child abuse and neglect: physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse and emotional abuse. It is important to note, however, that these types of abuse are more typically found in combination than alone. A physically abused child, for example, is often emotionally abused as well, and a sexually abused child also may be neglected.

Signs of Physical Abuse

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the child:

• Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones or black eyes;
• Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school;
• Seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home;
• Shrinks at the approach of adults;
• Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver.

Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the parent or other caregiver:

• Offers conflicting, unconvincing or no explanation for the child's injury;
• Describes the child as "evil," or in some other very negative way;
• Uses harsh physical discipline with the child ;
• Has a history of abuse as a child.

Signs of Neglect

Consider the possibility of neglect when the child:

• Is frequently absent from school;
• Begs or steals food or money;
• Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses;
• Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor;
• Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather;
• Abuses alcohol or other drugs;
• States that there is no one at home to provide care.

Consider the possibility of neglect when the parent or other caregiver:

• Appears to be indifferent to the child;
• Seems apathetic or depressed;
• Behaves irrationally or in a bizarre manner;
• Is abusing alcohol or other drugs.

Signs of Sexual Abuse

Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the child:

• Has difficulty walking or sitting;
• Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities;
• Reports nightmares or bedwetting;
• Experiences a sudden change in appetite;
• Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior;
• Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under age 14;
• Runs away.

Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the parent or other caregiver:

• Is unduly protective of the child or severely limits the child's contact with other children, especially of the opposite sex;
• Is secretive and isolated;
• Is jealous or controlling with family members.

Signs of emotional abuse

Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the child:

• Shows extremes in behavior, such as overly compliant or demanding behavior, extreme passivity, or aggression;
• Is either inappropriately adult (parenting other children, for example) or inappropriately infantile (frequently rocking or head-banging, for example) ;
• Is delayed in physical or emotional development;
• Has attempted suicide;
• Reports a lack of attachment to the parent.

Consider the possibility of emotional maltreatment when the parent or other caregiver:

• Constantly blames, belittles or berates the child;
• Is unconcerned about the child and refuses to consider offers of help for the child's problems;
• Overtly rejects the child.

Source: Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.