Signs & Symptoms of Abuse

⚠️ Content Notice: This page discusses child abuse, including sexual abuse. It is shared to raise awareness and help protect children. The information may be difficult or triggering for some readers, especially survivors. Please take gentle care of yourself as you read.

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Not where you’ve been

Sexual Abuse

Most children cannot or will not tell about being sexually abused so it is up to concerned parents and other adults to recognize the signs of abuse. There will not be physical evidence of abuse in most cases. So it is the behavioral signs we must look for in our children. There is no one behavior that definitely determines when a child has been sexually abused, so this makes it even harder to determine.

Behavior changes that may occur in children who have been sexually abused: physical complaints; fear or dislike of certain people or places; sleep disturbances; headaches; school problems; withdrawal from family, friends, or usual activities; excessive bathing or poor hygiene; return to younger, more babyish behavior; depression; anxiety; discipline problems; running away; eating disorders; passive or overly pleasing behavior; delinquent acts; low self-esteem; self-destructive behavior; hostility or aggression; drug or alcohol problems; sexual activity or pregnancy at an early age; suicide attempts.

Children who have been sexually abused frequently have more specific symptoms: copying adult sexual behavior; persistent sexual play with other children, themselves, toys or pets; displaying sexual knowledge, through language or behavior, that is beyond what is normal for their age; unexplained pain, swelling, bleeding or irritation; hints, indirect comments or statements about the abuse. Other signs may include difficulty in walking or sitting; sleep disturbances and nightmares; bedwetting; or frequent unexplained sore throats and stomachaches.

Physical Abuse

Some of the signs of physical abuse include bald spots, human bite marks, and/or unexplained bruises and welts on the face, lips, mouth, chest, back, buttocks or thighs. They may be in various stages of healing, form regular patterns, and/or resemble the shape of the article used to inflict harm. Unexplained burns may include cigar or cigarette burns; rope burns; or patterned burns. There may be broken bones or unexplained fractures. School teachers may notice that these signs regularly appear after school absence, weekends or vacations. Children who are physically abused may be accident prone; unable to tolerate physical contact; show fear of adult contact; feel afraid to go home; wear clothing that covers the body when not appropriate; or run away from home.

Neglect

Neglect may be evident from poor growth; failure to thrive; consistent hunger; low weight; poor hygiene; inappropriate dress; consistent lack of supervision; unattended physical or medical problems; or abandonment. The behavioral signs of neglected children include stealing or begging for food; persistent fatigue, listlessness or falling asleep; frequent school absence or tardiness; destructive behavior; dropping out of school; and/or substance abuse.

Emotional Abuse

Children who are emotionally abused may experience speech disorders, lags in physical development, failure to thrive, asthma, severe allergies, ulcers, substance abuse, or hyperactive/disruptive behavior. Emotional abuse may show itself through habit disorders such as sucking, biting or rocking; conduct disorders such as antisocial or destructive behavior; behavioral extremes such as extreme compliance, passivity or aggression; overly adaptive behavior; developmental lags; delinquent behavior; or attempted suicide.

Some children who are abused may talk of being abused, but not all. Listen closely, and take them seriously if they do; and for those that don’t talk about the abuse, watch for the signs. Let me repeat that these signs don’t always indicate abuse, but it’s best to find out for sure. Remember, children who are sexually abused may keep the abuse a secret for various reasons: they may think no one will believe them; they may have been threatened; they may feel embarrassed or ashamed; or they may be too young to have the verbal skills to talk about the abuse.

Children In Need  ·  Responding to Child Abuse  ·  The Pathway of Hope