3.1

We Care...
by identifying the possible indicators of abuse

It is essential that you are knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms of child abuse and are able to recognize indicators of abuse.

red flag icon

Throughout this training you will see a red flag icon to call your attention to indicators of child abuse.

A sign or a symptom is a "red flag" indicating that something is not quite right with the child. It could be that the child had a bad night's sleep or is not feeling well that day, or it could be that the child is being hurt or abused. The more red flags you have for one child, the more serious the situation could be and the more important it is for you to report your concerns.

Dr. Maria McColgan is medical director of the Child Protection Program at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, a pediatric adviser for Prevent Child Abuse PA, and an assistant professor at Drexel University College of Medicine.



Show Transcript

We all have a role in recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect. In order to fulfill this role, it is important to know and understand the types of abuse and neglect that children may face so that we can recognize abuse early and prevent further trauma.

There are various forms of abuse children may be exposed to, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect.

I am often asked what signs should I be looking out for? While every case is different there are some common things you should watch for. Any sudden changes in a child’s behavior may be a marker of abuse and neglect or other traumatic experiences. These include, but are not limited to, angry or depressed behavior, sudden withdrawal from peers and family, changes in grades, promiscuous behavior, suicidal thoughts or actions and running away. Physical signs may include chronic headaches or chronic abdominal pain.

As difficult as it may be, we must continue to talk about abuse and neglect in order to bring it out from the shadows of secrecy that have allowed it to continue for so many years. Together, we can prevent abuse and neglect and help make sure that each and every child is raised in a happy, healthy environment!

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When individuals work with a child, they get to know that child's behaviors, moods, and attitudes. When a child's behavior drastically changes without a clear explanation, it is often an indicator that something is wrong. Examples include a child who is typically calm mannered and is now aggressive, or a child who was actively engaged in activities and is now truant or skipping practices.

The video mentioned some possible indicators that you might see that could cause you to have reasonable suspicion that abuse is occurring.

Possible Indicators of Abuse

Click on each indicator to learn more about what they mean:

  • Risk-taking behaviors:

    These signs may be seen in older children or teens, as well as younger children.

    • Running away
    • Fear of going home
    • Truancy
    • Substance abuse
    • Discipline issues
    • Self-mutilation
    • Suicide attempts
    • Eating Disorders
    • Carrying a weapon
    • Age inappropriate sexual behavior
  • Withdrawn, anti-social behavior, detached:

    This is not the child who is age appropriately shy or quiet, but a child who is detached from relationships or is presenting with attachment disorder.
  • Unusual, excessive fear and/or apprehension of a particular person:

    If a child is afraid of someone, that should be reason enough for an authorized adult to ask a child if they are feeling safe. This indicator also applies to extreme or unusual fear of a particular place.
  • "Frozen Awareness" or "Frozen Watchfulness":

    A child who is constantly looking around, alert and aware (vigilant), while remaining physically inactive (passive) and demonstrating a lack of trust in adults.
  • Changes in sleeping, frequent nightmares, or difficulty falling asleep and, as a result, may appear tired or fatigued:

    As an authorized adult, or Penn State employee, you may not know what a child’s sleep habits are, but they may see a child who is falling asleep in class, or who presents with dark circles and lack of concentration due to exhaustion.
  • Changes in school performance and attendance, difficulty concentrating in school, or having excessive absences:

    A child who is worried about his/her safety and security will have difficulty focusing on school or making attendance a priority.
  • Eating Disorders:

    Changes in eating. The stress, fear and anxiety caused by abuse can lead to changes in a child’s eating behaviors, which may result in weight gain or weight loss.

If any child is engaging in self-harming behaviors such as self-mutilation, suicide attempts, or is demonstrating signs of an eating disorder, do not hesitate to provide intervention and offer help and support to that child.

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