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Recognizing Abuse and Maltreatment

Signs and Symptoms of Abuse and Maltreatment

Abuse refers to serious harm committed to children. Abuse may be physical, emotional, or sexual. It also includes situations where a parent or other person legally responsible knowingly permits another person to inflict such harm on a child.

Maltreatment, which includes neglect, is when a child intentionally or unintentionally receives an inadequate quality of care in the areas of food, clothing, shelter, education, medical care, or supervision. It also includes excessive corporal punishment, abandonment, or misusing alcohol or other drugs to the degree that the child was placed in danger. It is important to note that poverty or other financial inability to provide the above is not considered maltreatment.

The follow chart lists possible signs and symptoms of abuse and maltreatment. The presence of one or more of these indicators does not necessarily mean that abuse or maltreatment has occurred. Please Contact Us CYS at any time if you have questions or concerns.

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  • Passive, withdrawn, or emotionless behavior.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.

Remember to Report Violations of the Standards of Behavior, Even When No Other Signs of Abuse Are Present:

  • 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.