The Mandate to Report, The Opportunity to Prevent
Indicators of Possible Child Maltreatment*
Type of Maltreatment
Physical Indicators
Behavioral Indicators
Physical
Unexplained bruises and
The non-accidental physical
welts:
 Feels deserving of punishment
injury of a child.
 On face, lip, mouth
 Wary of adult contact
 On torso, back, buttocks,
 Frightened of parents
Physical abuse is the most
thighs
 Afraid to go home
visible and widely recognized
 In various stages of
 Reports injury by parents
form of child maltreatment.
healing
 Self-destructive behavior
 Clustered, forming regular  Withdrawn or aggressive
patterns
behavioral extremes
 Imprint of article used to
 Uncomfortable with physical
inflict injury (belt,
contact
electrical cord)
 Complains of soreness or moves
 Regularly appear after
uncomfortably
absence, weekend, or
 Wears clothing inappropriate for
vacation
weather to cover body
Unexplained burns:
 Cigar, cigarette burns,
especially on soles of feet,
palms, back, or buttocks
 Immersion burns (socklike, glove-like)
Unexplained fractures/
dislocations
Bald patches on the scalp
Neglect is the most common
form of child maltreatment.
 Consistent hunger
 Self-destructive behaviors
It includes:
 Poor hygiene
 Begging, stealing food
 Lack of adequate food,
 Inappropriate dress
 Extended stays at school (early
shelter, clothing, medical
arrival and late departures)
 Consistent lack of
care
supervision
 Constant fatigue, listlessness, or
 Unmet emotional or
falling asleep in class
 Unattended physical
psychological needs of a
problems or medical
 Assuming adult responsibilities
child
needs
and concerns
 Educational/cognitive
 Underweight
 States there is no caretaker in the
neglect
home
 Poor growth patterns
 Lack of supervision for

Frequently absent or tardy
 Failure to thrive
optimal growth and
 Lice, distended stomach,
development
emaciated look
 Birth addicted (drug
exposure)
©Anna Curtis 2011
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The Mandate to Report, The Opportunity to Prevent
Indicators of Possible Child Maltreatment*
Type of Maltreatment
Physical Indicators
Behavioral Indicators
Sexual
The exploitation of a child for
the sexual gratification of an
adult or older child. Sexual
maltreatment is most
commonly perpetrated by an
individual known to the victim,
rarely is the offender a
stranger. One-third of all
sexual maltreatment is
perpetrated by another child.
Sexual maltreatment includes
touching offenses: fondling,
sodomy, rape; and nontouching offenses: child
prostitution, indecent exposure
and exhibitionism, utilizing the
internet as a vehicle for
exploitation.
Emotional
Excessive or aggressive parental
behavior that places
unreasonable demands on a
child to perform above his or
her capabilities.










It frequently occurs as verbal
maltreatment, but can also
include the following: rejection,
terrorizing, shameful forms of
punishment, withholding
physical and emotional contact;
developmentally inappropriate
expectations.

Difficulty walking or
sitting
Torn, stained or
bloody underclothing
Pain, swelling or
itching in the genital
area
Pain on urination
Bruises, bleeding, or
laceration in external
genitalia area
Presence of sexuality
transmitted disease
Frequent urinary or
yeast infections

Speech or other
communicative
disorder
Delayed physical
development
Exacerbation of
existing conditions
such as asthma or
allergies
Substance
maltreatment













Inappropriate sex play or advanced
sexual knowledge and promiscuity
Hysteria, lack of emotional control
Sudden school difficulties
Withdrawal or depression
Excessive worrying about siblings
Difficult peer relationships, resists
involvement with peers
Self-imposes social isolation
Avoidance of physical contact or
closeness
Sudden massive weight change (loss
or gain)
Habit disorders (sucking, rocking)
Antisocial or destructive behaviors,
including delinquency
Neurotic traits (sleep disorders,
inhibition to play)
Behavioral extremes (passivity or
aggression)
Development delays
Emotional maltreatment is
usually not an isolated incident,
but instead it is a pattern of
behavior that occurs over a
period of time.
*Adapted in part from Broadhurst, D.D.; Edmunds, M.; and MacDicken, RA.A. Early Childhood
Programs and Prevention Treatment of Child Maltreatment and Neglect, the User Manual Series,
Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, 1979
©Anna Curtis 2011
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