How To Identify Suspected Child Abuse or Neglect

Most people cannot imagine abusing or neglecting a child. Because of this, it is hard for someone who suspects child abuse to lay accusation on the suspected abuser. This becomes even more complicated when the suspected abuser is a parent. It can be difficult to determine when to intervene. Learning the signs and symptoms of child abuse can help determine whether your suspicions are justified and when to take action.

Many physically abusive parents or caregivers will have excuses when confronted, such as claiming that their actions are simply forms of discipline. Abusive parents often have anger management issues, or conflicting explanations of how the child's injuries occurred. There is a difference between normal punishment and physical abuse. Abuse can include striking the child with a hand or object, pushing or throwing, pinching, biting, or strangling the child. The telltale signs to look for are severe and recurring bruising, broken bones, or unwillingness of the child to explain where the marks came from.

Aside from physical signs, there are other more subtle indicators of abuse. Completely withholding affection from children is also considered a form of abuse, since it can have permanent negative effects on the child's personality. Another form of abuse is exposing children to inappropriate situations in which the child can do nothing to help, such as domestic violence or animal abuse. Some children will begin to exhibit a reluctance to go home at the end of the school day. If a normally outgoing child suddenly becomes shy, withdrawn, fearful or detached, this is a sign of trouble at home. If these symptoms begin to occur along with physical injuries, that is the time to intervene.

Child abuse or neglect often occurs as a result of stress or lack of support for the parent. This can be exacerbated by alcohol or drug abuse, or a history of domestic violence in which the parent was a victim. Sadly, it is often easy for people who were abused as children to grow up and turn their negative emotions onto their own children.

That's where you come in.

Child abuse can have lasting effects. Some of the damage may be physical, but the real tragedy of child abuse is the irreversible emotional problems that are often generated. Child abuse can lead to a skewed sense of self and an inability to have healthy relationships. That's why it's important to intervene before the lasting damage can be done.