How to Identify a Victim of Physical Child Abuse

Most cases of child abuse are never reported. To help prevent child abuse, learn to recognize its signs.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Yellow Pages

1. Look for any physical signs of abuse, including bruises, cuts, burns (possibly from cigarettes), or broken bones.
2. Check for clues in the child's behavior; she might have difficulty walking, sitting, or performing certain activities because of soreness. If she's tired, she may be sleeping poorly or having nightmares.
3. Note the child's weight. Weight loss can indicate she's not getting enough to eat. Overeating can signal emotional trouble.
4. Observe her social behaviors. An abused child may be distrustful, extremely introverted, aggressive, or physically self-destructive. She may overdo attempts to please others, or pick fights to get attention. Emotional problems may affect her school performance.
5. Determine whether her intellectual development is on track. Abused children (especially infants) often lack age-appropriate language and social skills.
6. Find out whether the child or her parents abuse drugs or alcohol.
7. Report any warning signs of abuse to your local police or child abuse prevention agency. Check the government section of your White Pages for phone numbers.