An average of five children die every day due to child abuse, yet it’s almost nonexistent in the news, and there is often little to no national discourse unless a case becomes high profile. There are many components and statistics in relation to child abuse and a good number of organizations are working hard to spot it and prevent it, as well as educate the public. According to ChildHelp via CDC:
More than 70% of the children who died as a result of child abuse or neglect were two years of age or younger. More than 80% were not yet old enough for kindergarten.
The above statistic is stunning, yet real. One way to help reduce those numbers is to create more awareness. Child abuse is often equated with physical abuse, but there are other kinds of child abuse that can be just as devastating and deadly. Here are all six types.
Physical Abuse includes punching, beating, kicking, biting, shaking, throwing, stabbing, choking, hitting (with a hand, stick, strap, or other object), burning, or otherwise harming a child.
Neglect includes not providing necessary food, shelter, supervision, education, medical treatment, attention, or intervention.
Sexual abuse includes sexual fondling, incest, rape sodomy, indecent exposure, exploitation/human trafficking and penetration.
Emotional/psychological abuse includes impairing a child’s sense of self-worth, constant criticism, threats, rejection, withholding love, support, or guidance. It’s the most difficult to prove and is often present with other abuses.
Abandonment includes leaving a child alone, not knowing where the parents are and/or leaving a child in a dangerous or compromising situation.
Substance abuse includes prenatal exposure of a child to harm, due to the mother’s use of an illegal mood altering substance. It also includes making, selling, distributing, or giving illegal drugs or alcohol to a child, or in the presence of a child, or being under the influence and unable to adequately care for a child.
Some of the above abuses overlap. Recognizing abuse can be tricky as some abuse is less overt and can be hidden. According to ChildWelfare.gov, here are signs of child abuse and red flags to take seriously/report:
Signs of Child Abuse
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 Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn
- Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home
- Is reluctant to be around a particular person
- Discloses maltreatment
The Parent:
- 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 the parent’s emotional needs
- Shows little concern for the child
The Parent and Child:
- Rarely touch or look at each other
- Consider their relationship entirely negative
- State that they do not like each other
The above list may not be all the signs of abuse or neglect. It is important to pay attention to other behaviors that may seem unusual or concerning. In addition to these signs and symptoms, Child Welfare Information Gateway provides information on the risk factors and perpetrators of child abuse and neglect fatalities: https://www. childwelfare.gov/can/risk_perpetrators.cfm
Signs of Physical Abuse
Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the child is
- 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
- Abuses animals or pets
Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver:
- Offers contradicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child’s injury, or provides an explanation that is not consistent with the 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
- Has a history of abusing animals or pets
Signs of Neglect
Consider the possibility of neglect when the child
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Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses
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Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor
Consider the possibility of neglect when the parent or other adult caregiver:
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Appears to be indifferent to the child
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Seems apathetic or depressed
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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:
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Has dif culty walking or sitting
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Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities
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Reports nightmares or bedwetting
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Experiences a sudden change in appetite
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Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior
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Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under age 14
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Runs away
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Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver
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Attaches very quickly to strangers or new adults in their environment
- Is secretive and isolated
- Is jealous or controlling with family members
Signs of Emotional Maltreatment
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 adult caregiver:
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Constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child
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Is unconcerned about the child and refuses to consider offers of help for the child’s problems
- Overtly rejects the child
It’s a lot of information to take in and certainly not an enjoyable read. Becoming aware and sharing the information has saved lives. For more information on how to report suspected child abuse call or visit The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline.
The Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) is dedicated to the prevention of child abuse. Serving the United States, its territories, and Canada, the hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with professional crisis counselors who, through interpreters, can provide assistance in over 200 languages. The hotline offers crisis intervention, information, literature, and referrals to thousands of emergency, social service, and support resources. All calls are confidential.
If you are a child in immediate danger or know of a child in immediate danger, please call 911.