Abuse Signs and Consequences

Not all children respond the same way to abuse. Each child is different. Children who have been abused may display one or more of the bellow listed signs. We however need to note that any one of the following signs could indicate that there has been an abuse or it could be indicative of another type of problem. Whatever has caused the subject changes in behavior should be explored anyway.

Sings and Consequences of Sexual Abuse

Sings and Consequences of Physical Abuse

Sings and Consequences of Emotional Abuse 

Signs and Consequences of Neglect

Sings and Consequences of Sexual Abuse

Children often do not variably tell that they have been sexually abused or that they have successfully resisted an assault and don't know quite what to do next. There are many reasons children might hesitate or be afraid to tell anyone about what had happened to them, including their relationship to the offender, mainly fear of the consequences, retaliation or uncertainty about whether or not they will be believed.

Although the bellow signs and consequences are very strong in sexual abuse but they are common in all abuse's type. Any one of the following signs could indicate that there has been a sexual assault or it could be indicative of another problem as mentioned above.

Poor  Self Image:

Self-image is an individual's self concept. It is both a belief in self and a respect for self. In children, self-image is formed largely by how they think significant adults in their lives perceive them.

High self image is required to enable individuals to cope effectively with the ups and downs of life. A child with high self image has better opportunities for success in all aspects of life. Self image is not a fixed entity, it can b e strengthen or weakened. It can be strengthen by praise and acceptance and lowered by criticism and disapproval.

Child abuse is one of the strongest axes that hit the child self image. It hits it so quick and so hard and directly at the root. Children who feel good about themselves and who score high on self esteem are also the highest achievers in school, sport and other activities. It can be said that the development of the child's self image is the most important and critical factor for the child's future success.

Other effects and consequences of child sexual abuse may be:

• Sexual acting-out.

• Inability to trust or love others.

• Aggressive, disruptive and sometimes illegal behavior.

• Anger and rage.

• Self destructive behavior.

• Self-injury.

• Suicidal thoughts.

• Passive or withdrawn behavior.

• Anxiety and fears.

• School problems or failure.

• Feelings of sadness or other symptoms of depression.

• Flashbacks and nightmares.

• Drug and alcohol abuse.

• Sudden reluctance to go someplace or be with someone.

•  Inappropriate displays of affection.

• Sudden use of sexual terms or new names for body parts.

• Sleeping problems, including: insomnia, nightmares, refusal to sleep alone or suddenly insisting on a night light.

• Regressive behaviors, including: Thumb-sucking, bed-wetting, infantile behaviors or other signs of dependency.

• Extreme clinginess or other signs of fearfulness.

• Runs away from home.

• Bizarre or unusual sophistication pertaining to sexual behavior or knowledge, including sexual acting out.

• Reports sexual assault by parent or guardian.

Physical Indicators

Bellow are some physical indicators. It should be noted that some of them are not necessarily a cause of child abuse such as difficulty walking or sitting but they should be investigated:

      ·         Difficulty in walking or sitting.

      ·         Torn clothing.

      ·         Stained or bloody underwear.

      ·         Pain or itching in the genital area.

      ·         Venereal disease, especially in preteens.

      ·         Pregnancy.

Please note again that, apart from the last item, any one of the above indicators could indicate that there has been a sexual assault or it could be indicative of another type of problem. Whatever has caused the change in behavior should be explored.

Sings and Consequences of Physical Abuse

Bellow are some signs that may indicate a physical abuse:

• Any non-accidental physical injury.

• Fractures in unusual places.

• Injuries, swellings to face and extremities.

• Discoloration of skin.

• Bite mark.

• Unusual bruise.

• Burns.

• High incidence of accidents or frequent injuries.

Behavioral Indicators:

·         Avoids physical contact with others.

·         Apprehensive when other children cry.

·         Wears clothing to purposely conceal injury, i.e. long sleeves.

·         Gives inconsistent versions about occurrence of injuries, burns, etc.

·         Seems frightened by parents.

·         Often late or absent from school.

·         Comes early to school, seems reluctant to go home afterwards.

·         Has difficulty getting along with others.

·         Little respect for others.

·         Overly compliant, withdrawn, gives in readily and allows others to do for  him/her without protest.

·         Plays aggressively, often hurting peers.

·         Complains of pain upon movement or contact.

·         Has a history of running away from home.

·         Reports abuse by parents.

Sings and Consequences of Emotional Abuse 

Observable Indicators:

·         Child rocks, sucks, self bites.

·         Inappropriately aggressive.

·         Destructive to others.

·         Suffers from sleep, speech disorders.

·         Restricts play activities or experiences.

·         Demonstrates compulsions, obsessions, phobias, hysterical outbursts.

Behavioral Indicators:

·         Negative statements about self.

·         Shy, passive, compliant.

·         Lags in physical, mental and emotional development.

·         Self destructive behavior.

·         Highly aggressive.

·         Cruel to others.

·         Overly demanding.

Signs and Consequences of Neglect

Observable Indicators:

·         Dirty skin.

·         Offensive body odor.

·         Unwashed, uncombed hair.

·         Tattered, under or oversized and unclean clothing.

·         Dressed in clothing that is inappropriate to weather or situation.

·         Frequently left unsupervised or alone for periods of time      

Indicators health neglect:

·         Drowsiness, easily fatigued.

·         Puffiness under the eyes .

·         Frequent untreated upper respiratory infections .

·         Itching, scratching, long existing skin eruptions.

·         Frequent diarrhea.

·         Bruises, lacerations or cuts that are infected.

·         Untreated illnesses and  physical complaints not responded to by  parent

Indicators of Malnutrition

·         Begging for or stealing food.

·         Frequently hungry.

·         Rummaging through garbage pails for food.

·         Gorging self, eating in large gulps.

·         Hoarding food.

·         Obesity.

Indicators in small children

·         Listlessness.

·         Poor responsiveness.

·         Does not often smile, cry, laugh, play, relate to others.

·         Lacks interest, curiosity.

·         Rocks, bangs head, sucks hair, thumb, finger.

·         Tears at body.

·         Overly self-stimulating, self-comforting.

·         Does not turn to parent for help or comfort.

·         Hospitalization for failure to thrive - regresses upon return to home .

·         Unduly over or under active for no apparent purpose.

Indicators in Children

·         Cries easily when hurt even slightly.

·         Comes to school without breakfast.

·         Has no lunch or lunch money.

·         Needs dental care, glasses.

·         Falls asleep in class.

·         Often seems in a fog or dream world.

·         Comes to school early, does not want to go home.

·         Sees self as a failure.

·         Troublesome at school.

·         Does no homework, refuses to try.

·         Destroys completed written work.

·         Destroys books, assignments and learning aids or toys.

·        Withdrawn, overactive, under active and/or lethargic (depressed).

·         Is cruel to classmates.

·         Lies, steals from classmates, school.

·         Breaks objects or damages school properties.