Child Abuse Signs and Symptoms
Although these signs do not necessarily indicate that a child has been abused, they may help adults recognize that something is wrong. The possibility of abuse should be investigated if a child shows a number of these symptoms, or any of them to a marked degree:
- Sexual Abuse
- Being overly affectionate or knowledgeable in a sexual way inappropriate to the child’s age
- Medical problems such as chronic itching, pain in the genitals, venereal diseases
- Other extreme reactions, such as depression, self-mutilation, suicide attempts, running away, overdoses, anorexia
- Personality changes such as becoming insecure or clinging
- Regressing to younger behavior patterns such as thumb sucking or bringing out discarded cuddly toys
- Sudden loss of appetite or compulsive eating
- Being isolated or withdrawn
- Inability to concentrate
- Lack of trust or fear someone they know well, such as not wanting to be alone with a babysitter
- Starting to wet again, day or night/nightmares
- Become worried about clothing being removed
- Suddenly drawing sexually explicit pictures
- Trying to be “ultra-good” or perfect; overreacting to criticism
- Physical Abuse
- Unexplained recurrent injuries or burns
- Improbable excuses or refusal to explain injuries
- Wearing clothes to cover injuries, even in hot weather
- Refusal to undress for gym
- Bald patches
- Chronic running away
- Fear of medical help or examination
- Self-destructive tendencies
- Aggression towards others
- Fear of physical contact—shrinking back if touched
- Admitting that they are punished, but the punishment is excessive (such as a child being beaten every night to “make him/her study”)
- Fear of suspected abuser being contacted
- Emotional Abuse
- Physical, mental, and emotional development lags
- Sudden speech disorders
- Continual self-depreciation (“I’m stupid, ugly, worthless, etc.”)
- Overreaction to mistakes
- Extreme fear of any new situation
- Inappropriate response to pain (“I deserve this”)
- Neurotic behavior (rocking, hair twisting, self-mutilation)
- Extremes of passivity or aggression
- Neglect
- Constant hunger
- Poor personal hygiene
- No social relationships
- Constant tiredness
- Poor state of clothing
- Compulsive scavenging
- Emaciation
- Untreated medical problems
- Destructive tendencies
A child may be subjected to a combination of different kinds of abuse. It is also possible that a child may show no outward signs and hide what is happening from everyone.