Child Abuse

What is Abuse? - Abuse represents an action against a child. It is an act of commission. Generally, abuse is categorized as follows:

• PHYSICAL ABUSE: the non-accidental injury to a child.
• SEXUAL ABUSE: any act of a sexual nature upon or with a child. The act may be for the sexual gratification of the perpetrator or a third party. This would, therefore, include not only anyone who actively participated in the sexual activity, but also anyone who allowed or encouraged it.
• EMOTIONAL ABUSE: chronic attitude or acts which interfere with the psychological or social development of a child. Each of us is guilty of having unkindly snubbed a child or having criticized him too harshly, but emotional abuse is consistent and chronic behavior. It usually is related to a constellation of interactions and is cumulative.

What is Neglect? - Neglect is a failure to act on behalf of a child. It is an act of omission. Neglect may be thought of as child-rearing practices which are essentially inadequate or dangerous. It may not produce visible signs, and it usually occurs over a period of time. Neglect may be physical or emotional.

• PHYSICAL NEGLECT: failure to meet the requirements basic to a child's physical development, such as supervision, housing, clothing, medical attention, nutrition, and support. For purposes of reporting, some agencies may further break this category into more specific acts of omission, such as medical neglect, lack of prop­er supervision or educational neglect.
• EMOTIONAL NEGLECT: failure to provide the support or affection necessary to a child's psychological and social development. Failure on the part of the parent to provide the praise, nurturing, love, or security essential to the child's development of a sound and healthy personality may constitute emotional neglect. The effects of extreme deprivation can be seen in the medical syndrome "non-organic failure to thrive." Failure to thrive is a condition in which children show a marked, retardation or cessation of growth. On a normal growth chart, failure-to-thrive children usually fall below the 3rd percentile.

Indicators of Abuse/Neglect

PHYSICAL ABUSE:

PHYSICAL INDICATORS

Unexplained bruises and welts
• on the face, throat, upper arms, buttocks, thighs or lower back
• in unusual patterns or shapes which suggest the use an instrument (belt buckle, electric cord)
• on an infant
• in various stages of healing
• regularly appear after absence, weekend or vacation
Unexplained burns
• cigarette burns, especially found on palms, soles of feet, abdomen, buttocks
• immersion burns producing "stocking" or "glove" demarcation on hands and feet; "doughnut shaped" on buttocks or genital area
• rope burns
• infected burns indicating delay in treatment
• burns in the shape of common household utensils or appliances

BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS

• behavioral extremes (withdrawal, aggression, regression, depression)
• inappropriate or excessive fear of parent or caretaker
• antisocial behavior such as substance abuse, truancy, running away
• reluctance to return home
• suggestion that other children should be punished in a harsh manner
• unbelievable or inconsistent explanation for injuries
• lies very still while surveying surroundings (for infants)
• unusual shyness, wariness of physical contact

SEXUAL ABUSE:

PHYSICAL INDICATORS

• torn, stained or bloody underclothes
• frequent, unexplained sore throats, yeast or urinary infections
• somatic complaints, including pain and irritation of the genitals
• sexually transmitted disease
• bruises or bleeding from external genitalia, vagina or anal region
• pregnancy

BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS

• the victim's disclosure of sexual abuse
• poor peer relationships
• regressive behaviors (thumb sucking, bed wetting, fear of the dark)
• promiscuity or seductive behaviors
• disturbed sleep patterns (recurrent nightmares)
• unusual and age-inappropriate interest in sexual matters
• age-inappropriate ways of expressing affection
• avoidance of undressing or wearing extra layers of clothes
• sudden decline in school performance, truancy
• difficulty in walking or sitting

EMOTIONAL ABUSE:

PHYSICAL INDICATORS

• weight or height level substantially below norm
• flat or bald spots on head (infants)
• nervous disorders, (rashes, hives, facial tics, stomach-aches)

BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS

• habit disorders (biting, rocking, head banging)
• poor peer relations
• cruel behavior, seeming to get pleasure from hurting children, adults, or animals; seeming to get pleasure from being mistreated
• age-inappropriate behaviors (bed wetting, wetting or soiling)
• behavioral extremes: overly compliant-demanding; withdrawn-aggressive; listless-excitable

NEGLECT:

PHYSICAL INDICATORS

• poor hygiene, including lice, scabies, severe or untreated diaper rash, bedsores, body odor
• squinting
• unsuitable clothing; missing key articles of clothing(underwear socks, shoes); overdressed or underdressed for climate conditions
• untreated illness or injury
• lack of immunizations
• indicators of prolonged exposure to elements (excessive sunburn, insect bites, colds)
• height and weight significantly below age level

BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS

• unusual school attendance (coming to school early, leaving late)
• chronic absenteeism
• chronic hunger, tiredness, or lethargy
• begging or collecting leftovers
• assuming adult responsibilities
• reporting no caretaker in home

Helpful Links

Center for Effective Discipline
www.stophitting.org

Confronting Child Sexual Abuse
http://www.darkness2light.org

Child Abuse Prevention Network
www.child-abuse.com

Prevent Child Abuse America
www.preventchildabuse.org

Prevent Child Abuse Ohio
www.childrenscolumbus.org/
patient_family/PCAO

Parents Anonymous
www.parentsanonymous.org

International Society for
Prevention of Child
Abuse and Neglect
www.ispcan.org

The National Alliance
of Children's Trust
and Prevention Funds
www.msu.edu/user/millsda