How To Recognize Child Abuse

Mistreatment of children in anyway equals to abusing them. Child abuse is a heinous crime and the disturbing fact is that statistics establish that the misdeed is on the rise. Child abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual, or in the way of neglect. Children are defenseless and therefore, vulnerable to any form of abuse. Since the abused child may not be able to complain about the maltreatment on his/her own, the onus is on the adults, to identify its symptoms and recognize child abuse at earliest. Read the article to know some valuable tips on how to recognize child abuse.

The warning signs of physical abuse are more than evident, if you identify bruises, burns and cuts on children. However, it is important to remember that kids, being kids, will invite physical injuries upon themselves. The actual signs of physical abuse show when these injuries are unexplained and repeated. The children who are being subjected to physical abuse also prefer to wear long sleeves or other type of clothing, to cover the evidence of injuries. Another sign of physical abuse at the hands of the parents is that such a child displays little or no distress in being separated from them. A physically abused child is chronically suspicious and seems to be constantly on alert.

 

Humiliating remarks, unrealistic expectations and perceived or actual threats of harm amount to emotional abuse of a child. The signs of emotional abuse may not be very palpable. In fact, it is the most difficult to recognize emotional abuse in children. This type of abuse can be both verbal and psychological. The most common indicator of such abuse in children is that they appear quite, withdrawn and remote. If the child has suddenly transformed to being over-shy from outspoken, it can be read as a sign of emotional abuse. He/she will talk less, prefer to remain alone, be hesitant and even become cold and detached.

 

Studies have shown that girls are three times more likely to be sexually abused, as compared to boys. Behavioral changes occur in children who are subject of sexual abuse. Such a child can become overtly angry, hostile and aggressive. Fear psychosis in child may also lead to bed-wetting, nightmares and fear of the dark or a person. Advanced sexual knowledge of a child and/or interest in sexual acts or terminology can also be read as an indicator of abuse. A sexually abused child can also display a regression to babyish habits.

 

Neglect of children is the most common way of abusing them. The reasons behind such an abuse are varied. Parents may not be giving proper attention to the child, which amounts to his/her neglect. If the child is hungry all the time and look malnourished, it can be read as a sign of physical neglect. Poor hygiene is also one of the indicators of the physical neglect of a child. A child usually becomes withdrawn and depressed due to the feeling of being neglected. Neglected children also have a tendency to seek affection from other adults and lean on them for support.