Don't Miss These Signs of Emotional, Physical, Sexual Child Abuse

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Talking about Child Abuse is not an unpleasant topic – it’s a necessary topic to discuss and be informed upon. The statistics of 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 8 boys will experience some form of abuse before the age of 18 is scary. No, it’s terrifying. Educate yourself and your children about child predators and be aware of these warning signs of child abuse. Don’t be afraid to talk about unsafe situations and people with your kids – the more knowledge they have, the safer they will remain.

Don't miss these warning signs of emotional child abuse, physical child abuse and sexual child abuse your children may be exhibiting

It’s hard for a parent to think of their child being the target of abuse. We try our best to keep them safe, to protect them by any means possible, yet, statistics still stoke our parenting fears.

In fact, 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 8 boys will experience some form of abuse before the age of 18.

We teach our kids about unsafe people, unsafe situations and are on the lookout for people who may harm our children, but what if the unthinkable does happen?

Often, kids won’t tell us straight away. But there are signs they’ll exhibit if they have been victims of abuse. The body language and behavior they present is a way of communicating to you for help, but you’ll only see it if you know what to look for.

The cold-hard fact is that abuse is most often perpetrated by someone you know and trust – a family member, friend, your child’s best friend’s sibling, neighbor, coach or even a sibling.

Knowing the warning signs of a predator who is grooming your child is one thing, knowing the warning signs that your child has been abused is another.

Some of these signals will trigger alarms but also be aware that they don’t mean your child is being abused – they’re just warning signs that require investigating regardless.

Sometimes these red flags may be attention-seeking behavior, or a cry for help that something else going on in their life.

The best way to spot and respond to these signs is to have an healthy emotional relationship with your child and consistently have informative conversations about body safety, safety rules, role playing potential unsafe situations, and even to create a safe word for your family.

GENERAL WARNING SIGNS OF ABUSE

Behavior changes – fear, anxiety, depression, withdrawal, aggression, not wanting to go home or go to a certain person’s house, appearing withdrawn, afraid or nervous around certain individuals.
Overly sexualized behavior
Use of explicit sexual language that’s age inappropriate
Sudden interest in sexual pictures, movies, media
Changes in sleep patterns including frequent nightmares, difficulty falling or staying asleep.
Changes in school/sports performance and attendance; unable to concentrate or frequent absences and excuses to skip these things; grades deteriorate
Reluctance to leave school or activities and go home
Sudden loss of self-confidence, self-esteem
Rebellious or defiant behavior not previously exhibited
Unusual eating habits that lead to extreme weight gain or weight loss
Unexplained injuries such as bruises, welts, bumps, or broken bones
Trouble walking, sitting, running or doing normal activities
Sudden interest and use of drugs and alcohol
Attempt to run away or escape
Suicide attempt

SIGNS OF PHYSICAL ABUSE

Unexplained injuries such as bruises, welts, bumps, fractures, burns or broken bones
Injuries that don’t match explanations
Injuries that are left untreated – medical and dental

SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE

Use of explicit sexual language that’s age inappropriate
Over sexualized behavior or sexual interest that’s inappropriate to the child’s age
Infections, sexually transmitted disease, pregnancy
Trouble walking, sitting, running or doing normal activities
Genital pain
Blood in the child’s underwear
Abusing other children (sexually)
Inquiry and statements of sexual abuse

SIGNS OF EMOTIONAL ABUSE

Loss of self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-image
Delayed emotional development
Social withdrawal or loss of interest/enthusiasm for things they previously enjoyed
Symptoms such as headaches, stomachaches, pain without any medical cause
Desperately seeks affection and love
Attempt to run away or escape
Decrease or complete loss in academic, sports and outside interests

SIGNS OF NEGLECT

Poor hygiene
Poor growth/weight gain
Lack of adequate clothing / supplies to meet the child’s needs (shoes are wrong size, holes in clothing, not weather appropriate)
Taking/stealing food, money or other’s things without permission
Hiding food for later
Poor school attendance
Emotional and physical outbursts that are out of context or inappropriate
Obvious lack of medical, dental or psychological care

Sometimes it isn’t our own child that needs help. Friends or other children you’re in contact with may show signs of abuse. As a parent and an adult, it is your responsibility to not only protect your own child but other children who can’t protect themselves.

Not only do children give off warning signs, their parents, guardians or those close to them will also show behavior that sends red flags to indicate forms of abuse.

ADULT BEHAVIOR WARNING SIGNS

Shown little or no concern for the child
Appears to be indifferent or not recognize physical or emotional distress in the child
Denies knowledge of any problems at home or instead of confronting the problem, blames the child for the issue(s)
Uses negative terms to describe the child such as “bad,” “evil,” “worthless,” and other derogatory terms
Belittles, blames, and berates and talks negatively to the child in front of others
Limits the child’s interactions and contact with others
Offers conflicting or poor and unconvincing explanations for the child’s injuries or absences
Uses harsh and punitive discipline or asks others to use that form of punishment
Demanding unachievable levels of academic and/or physical performance
Corporal punishment such as spanking, hitting that leaves physical scars or pain

Depending on the situation, if a child needs medical attention, seek immediate attention by calling 911.

Get in contact with your local police department, a local child protective agency, or 24-hour hotline such as the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 800.422.4453.

This website offers a listing of agencies in each state to call for help or to report suspected abuse and neglect.