Clues to Possible Victimization

Sometimes children don’t tell us they are in crisis, they show us. A change in a child’s behavior could be due to the stress of being abused. These changes in behavior can alert adults to their problem. Abuse and neglect can also sometimes leave physical marks on a child’s body which adults can observe. Knowing both the physical and behavioral clues to abuse can help adults intervene on behalf of children. Keep in mind that some clues can be normal behaviors for a given child at a given time. Therefore, it is important to be aware of new behaviors, extreme behaviors, or combinations of the following characteristics. Abused children cannot be identified by racial, ethnic, religious, or socioeconomic class. Abuse crosses these lines.

Abused Children Are Often

          • Fearful of interpersonal relationships 
             or overly compliant
          • Withdrawn or aggressive, hyperactive
          • Constantly irritable or listless, detached
          • Affectionless or overly affectionate 
            (misconstrued as seduction)

Physical Symptoms

          • Bruises, burns, scars, welts, broken bones, 
             continuing or unexplainable injuries
          • Urinary infections (particularly in young 
             children)
          • Sexually transmitted diseases
          • Chronic ailments, stomach aches, vomiting, 
             eating disorders
          • Vaginal or anal soreness, bleeding, or itching

Activity and Habit Clues

          • Nightmares
          • Inappropriate masturbation
          • A child afraid to go home or to some 
            other location
          • Running away
          • Delinquency
          • Fear of being with a particular person
          • Lying
          • Prostitution

Age Inappropriate Behavior

          • An onset of thumb sucking
          • Sexually active or aware
          • Promiscuity
          • Bed wetting
          • Alcohol/substance abuse
          • Older child assaulting younger children
          • Child takes on adult responsibilities

Educational Concerns

          • Extreme curiosity, imagination
          • Academic failure
          • Sleeping in class	
          • Inability to concentrate  or extreme perfectionism

Emotional Indicators

          • Depression
          • Phobias, fear of darkness, public 
             restrooms, etc.
          • Chronic ailments
          • Self-inflicted injuries
          • Injuring/killing animals
          • Excessively fearful
          • Lack of spontaneity, creativity