Signs of Childhood Verbal Abuse
Child abuse does not distinguish between classes, cultures or incomes, and can cause serious injury or emotional problems for children. Abuse means much more than broken bones and physical pain. Emotional abuse can easily go unnoticed because there are no physical signs, but it can do serious emotional and mental harm to children. Identifying individual signs does not necessarily mean that the children are abused.
Other People Are Reading
-
Children
-
Children who are abused verbally may have difficulty trusting people, particularly adults, and will not develop new relationships easily. They may have few or no friends. Children may feel worthless and have trouble expressing their emotions. Sudden behavioral changes should not be ignored. Learning problems not attributed to a specific cause may be a sign of verbal abuse. No child should be afraid to go home. Verbal abuse can manifest itself as aggression, withdrawal, bullying, disobedience, or being clingy, stubborn, overly dependent or extremely patient. Children may lie excessively, be overly loud, easily frustrated or constantly seeking approval. These children will also be wary of all physical contact with their parents or adults in general, and they will appear constantly watchful.
Parents
-
Abusing parents may seem overly critical, rigid or disciplinary. You may see too little or too much concern for children. High-stress parents or parents who are using drugs or alcohol are more susceptible to abusing children. Constant complaints of having a difficult child or statements of dislike for the child are key signs in adults. Children who are rarely looked at or touched by parents may be experiencing verbal abuse at home. Abusive parents may also refuse help that is offered to the child.
-
Family
-
You can identify family characteristics that may contribute to or show signs that abuse is occurring in the home of a child. Families will have very few or no friends, and relatives do not visit. The family may not even have a church support system. Parents may have been abused as children, and the family will have constant crises, including money problems or be constantly moving.
What You Can Do
-
If you suspect that a child is being abused verbally, take the child aside. In a quiet, private area, encourage the child to talk to you about his or her home life. Try to get enough information from the child to determine if abuse is occurring. Speak gently and calmly to the child and reassure the child if you determine there has been abuse. Encourage the child, tell him/her that he/she is not bad or wrong and let the child know that you will be contacting someone who can help. Keep detailed records and immediately report any suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities.
-
References
- FindCounseling.com: Signs of Emotional Abuse and Verbal Abuse --- Child Abuse: An Overview
- KeepKidsHealthy.com: Child Abuse in Children
- HelpGuide.org: Child Abuse & Neglect: Recognizing and Preventing Child Abuse
- US Department of Health & Human Services: Recognizing Child Abuse and Neglect --- Signs and Symptoms
- Child Abuse Effects: Emotional Abuse Signs
- CyberParent.com: Signs or Symptoms of Child Abuse
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
