Indicators of Child Abuse Physical, Sexual, Emotional, and Neglect

How do parents react to disabilities? l They try to deal with the “symbolic death syndrome,” and l They try to provide the necessary daily care

Hard facts about disabilities and families l Odds of divorce go up by two l Odds of child abuse go up by five

Physical abuse--physical symptoms l Unexplained bruises and welts l on face, lips, or mouth l on torso, back, buttocks, or thighs l pattern/clusters l In various stages of healing l shaped like recognizable object (like a belt buckle) l appear regularly after child is at home

Physical symptoms/physical 2 l Unexplained burns l by cigars, cigarettes, especially on soles, palms, back, or buttocks l Immersion in hot liquid l recognizable form like range coils l by rope on arms, legs, neck, or torso

Physical Abuse-physical- 3 of 4 l Unexplained fractures of skull, nose, or facial bones l in various stages of healing l in multiple locations

Physical/physical 4 l Unexplained lacerations or abrasions l on mouth, lips, gums, or eyes l on external genitalia

Physical abuse, behavioral indicators l Wary of adult contacts l Apprehensive when OTHER children cry l Extreme aggressiveness or extreme withdrawal l Fear of parents/fear of going home l Reports of injury by parents

Sexual Abuse l Hard fact--of children under age 18, three of four WILL EXPERIENCE some form of sexual abuse (not experimentation) by the time they are 18. Studies show it...

Sexual abuse--physical indicators l Difficulty in walking or sitting l torn, stained, or bloody underclothes l Pain or itching in genital area l Bruises or bleeding in genital, vaginal, or anal areas l Venereal disease l Pregnancy

Sexual abuse-- behavioral l Unwillingness to change clothing or to participate in physical education classes l Bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual behavior or knowledge l Reporting of sexual assaults

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse-- physical symptoms l Speech disorders l Lag in physical development l Severe allergies, asthma, or ulcers l Alcohol or drug abuse

Emotional abuse-- behavioral symptoms--1 l Habit disorders such as thumb sucking, lip biting, or rocking l Antisocial or destructive conduct l Psychoneurotic traits such as hysteria, obsessions, compulsions, phobias, hypochondria

Emotional abuse-- behavioral (2) l Behavior extremes of compliance or aggression l Inappropriate adult or infantile behavior l Mental and emotional developmental lags l Suicide threats or attempts

Neglect

Neglect--physical l Consistent hunger l Poor hygiene l Inappropriate dress l Unattended physical problems l Unattended medical needs including dental l Alcohol or drug abuse

Neglect--behavioral indicators l Begging or stealing food l Early arrivals and late departures l Constant fatigue or listlessness l Chronic delinquency, especially thefts l Reporting of no caretaker at home

Mandatory reporting Each of the 50 states has a mandatory reporting for person such as teachers who may suspect abuse