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Possible Signs of Abuse & Neglect
A total of 1,670 children died in the United States from child abuse or neglect in 2015, and nearly 3/4 of the reported fatalities were 3 years old or younger.
Knowing the warning signs of child abuse can help diminish the abuse, neglect and dependency occurring in Clark County and across the nation.
There is also emotional neglect and dependency. Dependency is when a child lacks the physical and emotional support he or she needs because the parent or guardian is unable to provide it. This leaves the child to fend for him/herself.
Knowing the warning signs of child abuse can help diminish the abuse, neglect and dependency occurring in Clark County and across the nation.
So, What Are the Forms Of Child Maltreatment?
Abuse may be physical, sexual or emotional in nature. Physical neglect could be a lack of supervision, educational neglect, medical neglect, an unsafe shelter and/or failure to protect a child, such as exposing the child to domestic violence, driving under the influence or other forms of child endangerment.There is also emotional neglect and dependency. Dependency is when a child lacks the physical and emotional support he or she needs because the parent or guardian is unable to provide it. This leaves the child to fend for him/herself.
Possible Signs Of Abuse & Neglect
Consider emotional maltreatment when the child:
- Shows extremes in behavior, such as overly compliant or demanding behavior, extreme passivity, or aggression.
- Is either inappropriately adult (parenting other children for example) or inappropriately infantile (e.g., frequently rocking or head-banging)
- Is delayed in physical or emotional development
- Has attempted suicide
- Reports a lack of attachment to the parent
Consider the possibility of neglect when the child:
- Is frequently absent from school
- Begs or steals food or money
- Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses
- Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor
- Abuses alcohol or other drugs
- States that there is no one at home to provide care
Consider the possibility of physical abuse when the child:
- Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes
- Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school
- Seems frightened of the parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home
- Shrinks at the approach of adults
- Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver
- Abuses animals or pets
Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the child:
- Has difficulty walking or sitting
- Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities
- Reports nightmares or bed-wetting
- Experiences a sudden change in appetite
- Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior
- Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under the age of 14
- Runs away
- Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver
- Attaches very quickly to strangers or new adults in their environment
If you notice any of these warning sign in a child’s behavior, speak up! Report any suspected abuse, talk with the child’s parents, see if the child is open to talking about your concerns and address any concerns you may have. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.