Child Abuse and Maltreatment/Neglect: Identification and Reporting

Chapter One - Recognition of Child Abuse, Maltreatment, and Neglect

Chapter 1: Recognition of Child Abuse, Maltreatment, and Neglect
Introduction
Perpetrators of Child
Abuse
Physical Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Sexual Abuse

Chapter 2: Reporting Child Abuse and Maltreatment/Neglect

Chapter 3: The Abandoned Infant Protection Act

Chapter 4: The Consequences of Child Abuse

References

Appendices

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Emotional Abuse

Physical Indicators of Emotional Abuse

  • Conduct disorders (fighting in school, anti-social behavior, destructive, etc.);
  • Habit disorders (rocking, biting, sucking fingers, pulling out hair, etc.);
  • Anxiety disorders, speech disorders, sleep problems, inhibition of play; phobias, hysterical reactions, compulsions, hypochondria;
  • Lags in physical development;
  • Failure to thrive.

Child's Behavior - Possible Indicators of Emotional Abuse

  • Overly adaptive behavior, such as inappropriately adult or inappropriately infantile;
  • Developmental delays (mental and emotional);
  • Extremes of behavior (compliant, passive, aggressive, demanding);
  • Self-mutilation;
  • Suicide attempts or gestures.
  • Consistent hunger, poor hygiene
  • Speech disorders
  • Chronic truancy

Parent's Behavior - Possible Indicators of Emotional Abuse

  • Treats children in the family unequally;
  • Doesn't seem to care much about the child's problems;
  • Blames or belittles the child;
  • Is cold and rejecting;
  • Inconsistent behavior toward child.
  • Verbally terrorizes the child;
  • Continually and severely criticizes the child,
  • Failure to express any affection or nurturing.
  • Humiliation,
  • Engages in actions intended to produce fear or extreme guilt in a child.

Continue on to Sexual Abuse