- Home
- Benefits & Support
- Clark County Child Advocacy Center
- Resources
- Recognize the Signs
Recognize the Signs
The first step in helping abused or neglected children is learning to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect. The presence of a single sign does not prove child abuse is occurring in a family, but a closer look at the situation may be warranted when these signs appear repeatedly or in combination.
Reporting Abuse/Neglect
Any concerned person can report suspected child abuse and neglect. Some people (typically certain types of professionals) are required by law to make a report of child maltreatment under specific circumstances-these are called mandatory reporters.
For more information, go to the Child Welfare Information Gateway's resource, Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect.
Physical Abuse
Physical Signs
Physical Signs
Reporting Abuse/Neglect
Any concerned person can report suspected child abuse and neglect. Some people (typically certain types of professionals) are required by law to make a report of child maltreatment under specific circumstances-these are called mandatory reporters.
For more information, go to the Child Welfare Information Gateway's resource, Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect.
Physical Abuse
Physical Signs
- Frequent injuries such as bruises, cuts, black eyes or burns, especially when the child cannot adequately explain their causes
- Burns or bruises in an unusual pattern that may indicate the use of an instrument or human bite
- Cigarette burns on any part of the body
- Lack of reaction to pain
- Injuries that appear after the child has not been seen for several days
- Unexplained bruises (in various stages of healing), fractures, lacerations or abrasions
- Evidence of delayed or inappropriate treatment for injuries
- The child's injury is too severe to have been caused by the incident described
- The injuries involve the backs of the hands, buttocks, genital area, abdomen, back, or sides of the body (particularly the face)
- Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver
- Frequent complaints of pain without obvious injury
- Complains of soreness or moves uncomfortably
- Aggressive, disruptive and destructive or self-destructive behavior
- Overly passive or compliant, withdrawn, emotionless behavior
- Fear of going home or seeing parents
- Unseasonable clothes that may hide injuries to arms or legs
- Chronic runaway (adolescents)
- Child is wary of adult contact
- The child is reportedly injured doing something that he or she is developmentally unable to do
- The caretaker's story changes when challenged
- Bizarre explanation of injuries
- Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents' attention
- Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance
- Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
- Caretaker describes child in a negative way; frequently is blamed
Physical Signs
- Torn, stained or bloody underclothing
- Pain, swelling or itching in genital area
- Difficulty walking or sitting
- Bruises or bleeding in genital area
- Venereal disease
- Frequent urinary or yeast infections
- Physical signs of sexually transmitted diseases
- Pregnancy in a young girl
- Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver
- Excessive seductiveness, inappropriate sex play or premature understanding of sex
- Sexually suggestive, inappropriate or promiscuous behavior
- Knowledge about sexual relations beyond what is appropriate for the child's age
- Role reversal, overly concerned for siblings
- Significant weight change or experiences a sudden change in appetite
- Suicide attempts (especially adolescents)
- Runs away (especially adolescents)
- Threatened by physical contact, closeness
- Extreme fear of being alone with adults especially if of a particular gender
- Child suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities
- Sexual victimization of other children
- Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance
- Lacks adult supervision
- Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn
- Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home
- Reports nightmares or bed wetting