Recognizing Abuse and Maltreatment
Signs and Symptoms of Abuse and Maltreatment
Abuse may be physical, emotional, or sexual. It also includes acts that cause or create a risk of harm to a child, as well as situations in which a parent or other person legally responsible knowingly allows such harm to occur.
Maltreatment, which includes neglect, occurs when a child receives inadequate care, supervision, education, medical care, food, clothing, or shelter. It may also include abandonment, excessive corporal punishment, or substance misuse that places a child at risk of harm. Poverty or financial hardship alone does not constitute maltreatment.
The following lists describe possible indicators of abuse and maltreatment. The presence of one or more indicators does not necessarily mean that abuse or maltreatment has occurred. Likewise, the absence of these indicators does not necessarily mean that abuse or maltreatment has not occurred. If you observe concerning behavior or circumstances involving a minor, review Cornell's reporting procedures and report your concerns promptly.
Possible Indicators of Physical Abuse:
- Injuries to the eyes or both sides of the head or body (accidental injuries are more likely to occur only one side of the body).
- Frequent injuries (bruises, cuts, and/or burns), especially if the child cannot explain the cause or the explanation does not make sense. Sometimes these injuries may appear in distinctive patterns, such as finger- or handprints, human bite marks, cigarette burns, or impressions of other instruments.
- Destructive, aggressive, or disruptive behavior.
- Passive, withdrawn, or emotionless behavior.
- Fears of going home.
- Fears of parents or other specific adults.
Possible Indicators of Sexual Abuse:
- Symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases.
- Injury to the genital area.
- Difficulty and/or pain when sitting or walking.
- Sexually suggestive, inappropriate, or promiscuous behavior or language.
- Expressing age-inappropriate knowledge of sexual relations.
- Sexual behavior toward other children that is inappropriate for the child's age or developmental stage.
Possible Indicators of Maltreatment:
- Obvious malnourishment, listlessness, or fatigue.
- Stealing or begging for food.
- Lack of personal care, including poor hygiene, or consistently dirty, torn, or inappropriate clothing.
- Untreated need for glasses, dental care, or other medical attention (when not attributable to poverty or lack of resources).
- Frequent absence from or tardiness to school.
- Child inappropriately left unattended or without supervision.
Report Concerning Behaviors and Boundary Violations
Not all concerns involve obvious signs of abuse or maltreatment. Violations of Cornell's Standards of Behavior and other concerning interactions with minors should also be reported.
- Physical boundary violations such as tickling, wrestling, or other unnecessary physical contact.
- Any form of unwanted affection or physical contact.
- Speech, gestures, or other behavior that is demeaning, humiliating, intimidating, or intended to embarrass a minor.
- Inadequate supervision or situations that create unauthorized one-on-one interactions between adults and minors.
- Unauthorized photography, video recording, or sharing images of a minor.
- Sexual comments, jokes, or discussions in the presence of a minor.
- Providing, sharing, or encouraging the use of sexually explicit material, alcohol, tobacco, vaping products, or other drugs.
Have Concerns About a Minor's Safety?
If you know or suspect abuse, maltreatment, sexual misconduct, or other concerning behavior involving a minor, review Cornell's reporting procedures and make a report immediately.