Bright Start Nurse Home Visitation Program
Child Abuse Prevention
Signs of Child Abuse & Neglect

Physical Abuse
Physical Indicators

• Unexplained bruises and welts on face, lips, mouth, torso, back, buttocks, thighs in various stages of healing. They may be clustered, forming regular pattern or reflecting the shape of article used to inflict, such as an electric cord or belt buckle. Regularly appear after absence, weekend or vacation.
• Unexplained burns, including cigar and cigarette burns, immersion burns, sock-like, glove-like, patterned like an electric burner or iron, rope burns on arms, legs, neck or torso.
• Unexplained fractures to skull, nose, facial structure in various stages of healing, multiple or spiral fractures.
• Unexplained lacerations or abrasions, to mouth, lips, gums, eyes, external genitalia

Behavioral Indicators

• Wary of adult contacts
• Apprehensive when other children cry
• Behavioral extremes; aggressiveness or withdrawal
• Frightened of parents
• Afraid to go home
• Reports injury by parents
   

Physical Neglect
Physical Indicators

• Consistent hunger
• Poor hygiene
• Inappropriate dress
• Consistent lack of supervision, especially in dangerous activities for long periods of time
• Unattended physical problems or medical needs
• Abandonment
   

Behavioral Indicators

• Begging, stealing food
• Extended stays at school; early arrival and late departure
• Constant fatigue, listlessness or falling asleep in class
• Alcohol or drug abuse
• Delinquency; thefts
• States there is no caretaker
   

Sexual Abuse
Physical Indicators

• Difficulty walking or sitting
• Pain or itching in genital area
• Bruises or bleeding in external genitalia, vaginal or anal areas
• Venereal disease, especially in pre-teens
• Pregnancy
   

Behavioral Indicators

• Unwilling to change for gym or participate in physical education class
• Withdrawal, fantasy or bizarre, sophisticated or unusual sexual behavior or knowledge
• Poor peer relationships
• Delinquent or runaway behavior
• Reports sexual assault by caretaker
   

Emotional Abuse
Physical Indicators

• Speech disorders
• Lags in physical development
• Failure to thrive
   

Behavioral Indicators

• Habit disorders: sucking, biting, rocking
• Conduct disorders: antisocial, destructive
• Neurotic traits: sleep disorders, inhibited play
• Psychoneurotic reactions: hysteria, obsession, compulsion, phobias, hypochondria
• Behavior extremes: compliant, passive or aggressive, demanding
• Overly adaptive behavior: inappropriately adult or inappropriately infant
• Developmental lags: mental, emotional
• Attempted suicide
  
  *Information from South Dakota’s Department of Social Services’ Child Protection Services
   

If you notice any of these signs in a child, please contact South Dakota's Child Protection Services at 605.367.5444

Bright Start
Reporting Child Abuse & Neglect
Stresses for Parents & Caregivers
Tips for Parents & Caregivers
Support for Parents & Caregivers

 

 
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