Identifying Abuse

3.1 Introduction

Remember that abuse isn’t always physical in nature.There might not be obvious marks on a child’s body, and they may be able to act as though nothing is wrong. Their lack of knowledge and cognitive development means that they might not even know that they are being abused. Because the abuse is most likely to have been perpetrated by a family member or acquaintance, they may not realise that being abused is not “normal”.

3.2 Signs of Abuse

As a general rule, an abused child will show a range of emotional and behavioural signs that suggest mistreatment. They may:

a. Become withdrawn

b. Engage in obsessive behaviour

c. Fail to thrive or develop in line with those of the same age

d. Appear anxious or clingy

e. Soil their clothes or wet the bed

f. Start missing school

g.Report nightmares

h. Become aggressive

i. Begin self-harming

Physical Abuse

Bumps and bruises are a normal part of childhood, and do not mean a child is being abused. However, if a child is regularly injured, or there seems to be a pattern to their injuries, there could be a problem.Another red βlag is if their explanation of how their injury happened is an obvious lie.

Signs of physical abuse include:

a. Fractures

b. Broken bones

c. Bruising

d. Bite marks

e. Burns or scalds

f. Respiratory problems

g. Symptoms associated with poisoning such as vomiting, drowsiness, or seizures

A child who is learning to crawl or walk may sustain bruising as a result of falling over – this is normal. However, bruising on young infants, bruises that appear in clusters and bruises on the soft parts of the body (for example, the buttocks) can be a sign of abuse.

Female Genital Mutilation

A girl who talks about going on a special holiday abroad or a special ceremony may be at risk of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Known or suspected FGM in other members of the family is another sign. If FGM has already happened, a girl may not be able to move without discomfort or pain. She may spend longer than usual when using the toilet, appear depressed or withdrawn, or show new behaviours following a break from school or college.

Sexual Abuse

Children who are being sexually abused may begin to demonstrate unusual, inappropriate sexual behaviour such as using explicit language, making reference to sex in everyday conversation and engaging in promiscuous behaviour. They may appear reluctant to spend time with particular  individuals, particularly if no one else is around.

Physical signs include:

a. STIs

b. Unintended pregnancy

c. Soreness around the vaginal or anal area

Neglect

Neglect takes many forms and can be difficult to spot. However, there are typical signs you can watch for. Poor hygiene and a dirty, unkempt appearance are important indicators of neglect. A neglected child may also have ongoing health issues that appear untreated, and they may miss vaccinations and routine appointments. If they are not receiving sufficient food, they might not be growing and developing properly.

FACT

Neglect is the most common form of abuse mentioned by adults contacting the NSPCC helpline.

Source: nspcc.org.uk

Emotional abuse

A young child who is being emotionally abused will typically show a lack of interest in their primary carer, appear overly affectionate with strangers, or show an unusual amount of aggression towards their peers. Older children experiencing emotional abuse will usually appear to have problems regulating their feelings, lack normal peer relationships and show little regard for their parents or  family in general.

Trafficking

Children who have been trafficked are usually sold into a life of sexual exploitation, domestic slavery, forced labour, or criminal activity. They are likely to be disorientated and scared of speaking out.

The following are signs that a child may have been trafficked:

a. Injuries that appear to have been caused by workplace accidents 

b. Uncertainty regarding their location - even which country they are in

c. Vague answers when questioned about their background, or an obviously prepared story

d. Poor quality or unsuitable accommodation

e. Spend more time doing household chores than playing

f. The possession of goods and/or money which are unusual for a child their age

Module Summary

The signs of abuse vary according to the type of abuse, and the individual circumstances. The signs are not always physical, and can be hard to spot. If you suspect or know that a child is being abused, the next step is to report it.In the next module, we will look at how you can do this.