Child Safety

From Children's Advocacy Centers of Virginia​

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Spotting Abuse: What Parents Should Know

The first step in helping abused children is learning to recognize the symptoms of child abuse. Child abuse is divided into four types:

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1. Physical Abuse

2. Neglect

3. Sexual Abuse

4. Emotional Maltreatment

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These types often occur in combination rather than alone. For example, a physically abused child is often emotionally maltreated, and a sexually abused child may also be neglected. Any child, at any age, can experience any type of abuse, though children over age five are more likely to be physically abused and suffer moderate injury than those under age five.

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Recognizing Child Abuse

Experienced educators likely have seen all forms of child abuse at one time or another. They are alert to signs that may signal the presence of child abuse.

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Signs in the Child:

• Sudden changes in behavior or school performance

• Unaddressed physical or medical problems

• Learning problems without a specific physical or psychological cause

• Constant watchfulness, as though preparing for something bad

• Lack of adult supervision

• Overly compliant, overachieving, or too responsible behavior

• Reluctance to go home, arriving early and staying late at school

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Signs in the Parent:

• Little concern for the child, rarely responding to school requests

• Denying or blaming the child for problems at school or home

• Requesting harsh physical discipline for misbehavior

• Viewing the child as bad, worthless, or burdensome

• Demanding unattainable levels of perfection

• Relying on the child for emotional needs

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Signs in the Parent-Child Relationship:

• Rarely touching or looking at each other

• Viewing their relationship negatively

• Expressing dislike for each other

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None of these signs alone proves child abuse is present in a family. They can be found in any parent or child at one time or another. However, when these signs appear repeatedly or in combination, they should prompt a closer look at the situation and consideration of the possibility of child abuse. A second look may reveal further signs of abuse or specific types of child abuse.

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Signs of Sexual Abuse

Look for the following indicators in children and adults to better spot sexual abuse.

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Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the child:​

• Has difficulty walking or sitting

• Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities

• Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior

• Becomes pregnant or contracts a venereal disease, particularly if under age fourteen

• Runs away

• Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver

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Consider the possibility of sexual abuse when the parent or other adult caregiver:​

• Is unduly protective of the child, severely limits the child’s contact with other children, especially of the opposite sex

• Is secretive and isolated

• Describes marital difficulties involving family power struggles or sexual relations​​