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 signs, or any of them to a marked degree:

If you suspect abuse contact someone NOW!

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 behaviour 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• Being isolated or withdrawn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 of someone they know well, such as not wanting to be alone with a babysitter or child minder
• 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 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 behaviour (rocking, hair twisting, self-mutilation)
• Extremes of passivity or aggression

Neglect

• Constant hunger
• Poor personal hygiene
• Constant tiredness
• Poor state of clothing
• Emaciation
• Untreated medical problems
• No social relationships
• Compulsive scavenging
• Destructive tendencies

   

  Note: 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