Identify signs of Abuse
Physical Abuse
Physical Indicators
- Bruises and Welts
- Lacerations and Abrasions
- Burns and Scalds
- Fractures
- Internal Injuries
- Rain/ head injuries
- Abdominal injuries
- Fabricated or induced illnesses, including Munchausen’s Syndrome by Proxy
- Poisoning
- Hair loss by pulling or burning
- Drowning
- Cot death
Sexual Abuse
Physical indicators
- Torn, stained or bloody underclothing
- Complaints of pain, swelling or itching in the genital area
- Complaints of pain on urination
- Bruises, bleeding, or lacerations in external genitalia, vaginal or anal area, mouth or throat
- Vaginal/ penile discharge
- Sexually transmitted disease
- Early adolescent pregnancy
Behavioral indicators
- Appetite disturbance
- Sexual exploitation of other young children
- Poor peer relationship
- Unwilling to participate in physical activities
- Behaviour disturbance (anorexia nervosa, obesity, self-mutilation, run away, suicide, promiscuity, drug abuse)
- Sexual knowledge or behaviour that is abnormally advanced for the respective age of the child
- Marked change in academic performance
- Sleep disturbance
- Excessive masturbation
- Excessive reaction to being touched
- Intense disgust for being left somewhere or with someone
Neglect
Physical Indicators
- Malnutrition, under-weight, or lacking enough quantity and/or quality of food
- Delayed development
- Severe rash or skin disorder
- Left in care of inappropriate carer (e.g. young child)
- Inadequately supervised for long periods or when engaged in dangerous activities
- Unattended physical problems or unmet medical/ dental needs
- Chronically dirty/ unkempt
- Habitual absence from school or deprivation of schooling
- Spoiled food found at home
- Insanitary living conditions (garbage, excretion, dirt, etc)
- Young child unattended for long periods
- Abandoned: totally or for long periods of time
- Child confined at home
Behavioural Indicators
- Persistent complaints of hunger or rummaging for food, overtly aggressive eating habit or begs for/ steals food
- Assumes responsibilities inappropriate to age
- Addiction
- Delinquency
- Complaints of inadequate care, supervision or nurturing
- Being made to work excessive hours/ beyond physical ability
- Poor peer relationship
- Responds to questions in monosyllables
- Extreme apprehension
- Sexual activity caused by inadequate supervision
- Reluctant to return home
- Run away from home
Psychological Abuse
Physical Indicators
- Failure to thrive
- Developmental delay e.g. speech disorder
- Anorexia nervosa
Behavioral Indicators
- Indicators in Child
- Alienation
- Habit disorder
- Wetting/ soiling
- Learning disorder e.g. marked deterioration in academic performance
- Lags in mental, emotional, social development
- Self-harm or suicidal thoughts/ attempts
- Disruptive behaviour or conduct problems
- Sleep disturbance
- Appetite disturbance
- Speech impediment
- Indicators in Family
- Rejection
- Constant scolding
- Humiliating criticism
- Inducing fear
- Encouraging deviant behavior
- Bizarre punishment
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