Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect

If you suspect someone is at risk for child abuse or neglect, click here.

The Signs 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; or
• Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver.

When the parent or 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; or
• Has a history of abuse as a child.

The Signs of Neglect

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

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

The Signs of Sexual Abuse

When the child:
• Has difficulty walking or sitting;
• Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities;
• Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior;
• Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under age fourteen;
• Runs away; or
• Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver.

When the parent or caregiver:
• Is unduly protective of the child, severely limits the child's contact with other children, especially of the opposite sex;
• Is secretive and isolated; or
• Describes marital difficulties involving family power struggles or sexual relations.

The Signs 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; or
• Reports a lack of attachment to the parent.

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