Child Abuse

Child abuse is considered one of the absolutely most heinous crimes in our society. Someone who could hurt a child seems unbelievably callous to most people, and yet child abuse happens at an alarming rate in society. Last year in our society almost a million children were found to be victims of child abuse and child neglect, according to the Child Welfare Information Gateway. One of the main problems with recognizing child abuse is that many people do not realize that child neglect is a form of child abuse. Furthermore, children who are victims of child abuse or child neglect are often instructed or pressured into not showing overt signs, or telling anyone, so it can be hard to detect. The following signs are considered telltale that some form of child abuse or child neglect is happening, and should signify that further investigations should be made.

1. Strange clothing

Often when child abuse occurs, children are instructed to wear clothing to cover their marks. If a child is seen to be wearing long shirts or coats in summer weather, or pants in the same sort of weather, it can be a sign that the child is a victim of child abuse. Similarly, if a child is wearing inadequate clothing in winter time, it could also be a sign of child neglect, where the child may not receive clothing or attention needed to dress himself or herself properly.

2. Extreme personality traits

Often children who are victims of child abuse or child neglect have unusual character traits. These children may sometimes lash out or be overly active in an attempt to get attention when not near the abuser, or they may be shy and overly submissive as a result of the child abuse or child neglect. Sometimes, the child may display reluctance to go home, or an aversion to touch in any way.

3. Physical signs

All children end up with some bumps and bruises as a result of being young and playful. Victims of child abuse, however, often end up with more signs of trauma, or trauma in areas that children do not normally receive it, such as in the groin area in cases of sexual abuse. Also, if a child reports a different story than a parent, it could be a sign that the parent is attempting to cover up the signs of child abuse. Victims of child neglect may also, sometimes, have more signs of abuse as a result of not being cared for or looked after. Children with wounds that do not seem to have been treated could be victims of child neglect.