Indicators of Child
Abuse
Physical, Sexual,
Emotional, and Neglect
How do parents react to
disabilities?

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They try to deal with the
“symbolic death syndrome,” and
They try to provide the
necessary daily care
Hard facts about
disabilities and families


Odds of divorce
go up by two
Odds of child
abuse go up by
five
Physical abuse--physical
symptoms
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Unexplained
bruises and
welts
on face, lips, or
mouth
on torso, back,
buttocks, or
thighs
pattern/clusters

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In various
stages of
healing
shaped like
recognizable
object (like a
belt buckle)
appear regularly
after child is at
home
Physical
symptoms/physical 2


Unexplained
burns
by cigars,
cigarettes,
especially on
soles, palms,
back, or
buttocks
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Immersion in
hot liquid
recognizable
form like range
coils
by rope on arms,
legs, neck, or
torso
Physical Abuse-physical3 of 4
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
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Unexplained fractures of skull,
nose, or facial bones
in various stages of healing
in multiple locations
Physical/physical 4

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Unexplained lacerations or
abrasions
on mouth, lips, gums, or eyes
on external genitalia
Physical abuse,
behavioral indicators



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Wary of adult contacts
Apprehensive when OTHER
children cry
Extreme aggressiveness or
extreme withdrawal
Fear of parents/fear of going
home
Reports of injury by parents
Sexual Abuse

Hard fact--of children under age
18, three of four WILL
EXPERIENCE some form of
sexual abuse (not
experimentation) by the time
they are 18. Studies show it . . .
Sexual abuse--physical
indicators



Difficulty in
walking or
sitting
torn, stained, or
bloody
underclothes
Pain or itching
in genital area

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Bruises or
bleeding in
genital, vaginal,
or anal areas
Venereal
disease
Pregnancy
Sexual abuse-behavioral

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Unwillingness to change
clothing or to participate in
physical education classes
Bizarre, sophisticated, or
unusual sexual behavior or
knowledge
Reporting of sexual assaults
Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse-physical symptoms


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Speech disorders
Lag in physical development
Severe allergies, asthma, or
ulcers
Alcohol or drug abuse
Emotional abuse-behavioral symptoms--1


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Habit disorders such as thumb
sucking, lip biting, or rocking
Antisocial or destructive
conduct
Psychoneurotic traits such as
hysteria, obsessions,
compulsions, phobias,
hypochondria
Emotional abuse-behavioral (2)

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Behavior extremes of
compliance or aggression
Inappropriate adult or infantile
behavior
Mental and emotional
developmental lags
Suicide threats or attempts
Neglect
Neglect--physical


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Consistent
hunger
Poor hygiene
Inappropriate
dress
Unattended
physical
problems


Unattended
medical needs
including dental
Alcohol or drug
abuse
Neglect--behavioral
indicators
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Begging or stealing food
Early arrivals and late
departures
Constant fatigue or listlessness
Chronic delinquency, especially
thefts
Reporting of no caretaker at
home
Mandatory reporting
Each of the 50 states has a
mandatory reporting for
person such as teachers
who may suspect abuse