Signs & Symptoms

Keep in mind that warning signs are just that — warning signs. The presence of warning signs doesn’t necessarily mean that a child is being abused.

Signs of Physical Abuse

    • Injury to a child who isn’t crawling yet
    • Visible and severe injuries
    • Injuries at different stages of healing on different surfaces of the body
    • Any injury (Ie… bruise, burn, fracture, abdominal or head injury) that cannot be explained, or that doesn’t match up with the explanation given
    • Distinctive shapes of bruising and injuries
    • Frequent injuries after weekends, vacations, school absences
    • Aggression toward other children or animals
    • Seems afraid of parents or other adults
    • Fear, withdrawal, depression, anxiety
    • Is dressed inappropriately to hide bruises or other injuries
    • Violent themes in fantasy, art, etc…
    • Nightmares, insomnia
    • Reports of injury or severe discipline
    • Immaturity, acting out, emotional and behavior extremes such as overly aggressive or extremely withdrawn
    • Self-destructive behavior or attitudes
    • Cannot recall how the injuries occurred or give inconsistent explanations

Signs of Emotional Abuse

    • Delayed or inappropriate emotional development
    • Learning disabilities
    • Speech disorders
    • Habits like sucking, biting, rocking
    • Bed-wetting or bed soiling that has no medical cause
    • Loss of self-confidence or self-esteem
    • Headaches or stomachaches with no medical cause
    • Health problems like ulcers, skin disorders
    • Poor school performance or a sudden loss of interest in school
    • Desperately seeks affection
    • Dressed differently from other children in the family
    • Has deprived physical living conditions compared with other children in the family
    • May avoid certain situations or people
    • Overly compliant or defensive, too well-mannered; too neat and clean
    • Severe symptoms of depression, withdrawal or aggression
    • Anxieties, phobias, sleep disorders
    • Behavior that is inappropriate for the child’s age (too adult, too infantile)
    • Abnormal fears, increased nightmares, or attempts to run away
    • Destructive or anti-social behaviors (violence, cruelty, vandalism, stealing, cheating, lying)
    • When at play, behaviour may model or copy negative behaviour and language used at home
    • Severe symptoms of self-destructive behaviour – self-harming, suicide attempts, engaging in drug or alcohol abuse   

Signs of Sexual Abuse

    • Sexual behavior or knowledge that’s inappropriate for the child’s age
    • Abdominal pain
    • Bed-wetting
    • Genital pain, bleeding, bruises, swelling, itching of genital area or blood in the child’s underwear
    • Difficulty sitting, walking, bowel problems
    • Frequent urinary tract infections or yeast infections
    • Inappropriate sexual contact with other children
    • Age-inappropriate sexual play with toys, self, others
    • Comments such as “I’ve got a secret”, or “I don’t like uncle”
    • Fire lighting by boys
    • Withdrawn, depressed, anxious
    • Eating disorders, preoccupation with body
    • Aggression, poor peer relationships, delinquency
    • Poor self-image, poor self-care, lack of confidence
    • Sudden absenteeism, decline in school performance
    • Tries to make self as unattractive as possible
    • Sleep disturbance, fear of bedtime, nightmares
    • Substance abuse, running away, recklessness, suicide attempts
    • Unusual or repetitive soothing behaviors (hand-washing, pacing, rocking, etc.)
    • Pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection/disease

Signs of Neglect

    • Poor hygiene
    • Very low body weight, height for age
    • May show signs of malnutrition (like distended belly, protruding bones)
    • Often tired, sleepy, listless
    • Lack of clothing or supplies to meet physical needs
    • Clothing that is the wrong size, in disrepair, dirty, or not right for the weather
    • Voracious appetite or hiding food for later
    • May steal food, money, or other necessary items
    • Poor school attendance or school performance
    • Inadequately supervised or left alone for unacceptable periods of time
    • May have severe nappy rash or other persistent skin disorders or rashes resulting from improper care or lack of hygiene
    • Demonstrates severe lack of attachment to other adults
    • Lack of appropriate attention for medical, dental, or psychological problems or lack of  necessary follow-up care
    • Poor social skills
    • Talks about caring for younger siblings, not having a caregiver at home

Parental Behavior

Sometimes a parent’s demeanor or behavior sends red flags about child abuse. Warning signs include a parent who:

    • Shows little concern for the child
    • Appears unable to recognize physical or emotional distress in the child
    • Blames the child for the problems
    • Consistently belittles or berates the child, and describes the child with negative terms, such as “worthless” or “evil”
    • Expects the child to provide him or her with attention and care and seems jealous of other family members getting attention from the child
    • Uses harsh physical discipline
    • Demands an inappropriate level of physical or academic performance
    • Severely limits the child’s contact with others