What You Can Do
Recognize Child Abuse
Child abuse includes physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, or exploitation that threatens a child’s safety and well-being. Recognizing the warning signs can help protect a child and connect families to support and resources.
Physical Abuse - Warning Signs
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Self-destructive
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Withdrawn and/or aggressive - behavioral extremes
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Arrives at school early or stays late as if afraid to be at home
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Chronic runaway (adolescents)
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Complains of soreness or moves uncomfortable
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Wears inappropriate clothing to cover the body (ex., sweaters; long sleeves in hot weather)
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Bizarre explanation of injuries
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Wary of adult contact
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Apprehensive when other children cry
Physical Abuse - Warning Signs
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Regularly displays fatigue or listlessness (falls asleep in class)
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Steals food, begs from classmates
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Reports that no caretaker is at home
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Frequently absent or tardy
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Self-destructive
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School dropout (adolescent)
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Extreme loneliness and need for affection