Indications of Physical Abuse
Any severe changes in a child's behavior should be regarded carefully as potential signs of abuse or other trauma. The Child Abuse Team at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center recommends that caretakers specifically look for:
- Physical injuries (bruises, burns, broken bones and internal injuries)
- Delayed or inappropriate treatment for injuries
- Bizarre explanation of injuries
- A poor self image
- Self destructive, aggressive, or withdrawn behavior
- Afraid to be at home, or run-away tendencies in teens
- Sleep problems, nightmares or flashbacks
- Complains of soreness, or moves uncomfortably
Physical neglect, which makes up for about half of abuse cases, is indicated by:
- Abandonment
- Unattended medical needs
- Distended stomach and emaciated appearance
- Consistent hunger and stealing food
- Poor hygiene and inappropriate dress
- Consistent lack of supervision
- Frequent absence or tardiness
- Regular displays of fatigue or listlessness
- Extreme need for affection and extreme loneliness
- No caretaker at home
Disclosure of abuse may be a process that occurs over time. Be conscious not to shut the door when a child begins to tell you about abuse. Instead, ask questions such as "Can you tell me more about that?" Stress that the abuse is not the child's fault.
If you suspect a child within the Greater Cincinnati area is being physically abused or neglected, please contact the child's physician, 513-241-KIDS or the Social Services Department at Cincinnati Children's, 513-636-4711. Physicians are required by law to report suspected physical abuse or neglect to the legally mandated agency in their community.
You can download this information in portable document format (.pdf). There is a Child Physical Abuse Fact Sheet (8kb) as well as a Physical and Behavioral Indicators of Abuse Fact Sheet (7kb).
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