1. RECOGNIZING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT

2. Acts (doing something to injure a child)
CHILD ABUSE can be…..
Acts (doing something to injure a child)
Omissions (not doing or taking actions necessary to protect a child

3. CHILD ABUSE INCLUDES…..
Physical Abuse
Emotional Abuse
Neglect
Sexual

4. PHYSICAL ABUSE Non-accidental injury
May include beating, burning, strangulation, bites

5. SIGNS OF PHYSICAL ABUSE
Unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, head injuries, or black eyes
Seems frightened of parents or guardians
Shrinks at the approach of adults
Is frightened of physical contact, esp. with adults

6. REMEMBER…
Children fall and it is normal for them to have scraped elbows, chins, foreheads, etc.
Physical abuse will injure parts of the body that normally don’t have marks from everyday childhood accidents.

7. PHYSICAL NEGLECT
There are 3 or 5 times more cases of neglect than physical abuse.
Neglect can permanently damage every aspect of a child’s development, both physical and emotional.

8. SIGNS OF NEGLECT…. Frequent absences
Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations, or glasses
Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor
Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather
Is sleepy or lethargic
Excessively seeks attention, esp. from adults

9. EMOTIONAL ABUSE
Blaming, belittling, ridiculing, badgering, and constantly ignoring a child’s emotional needs

10. SIGNS OF EMOTIONAL ABUSE
Extremes in behavior—either overly aggressive or overly passive
Either inappropriately adult or inappropriately infantile
Shows failure to thrive
Lack of attachment to the parent/guardian

11. SEXUAL ABUSE
Using a child for any sexual contact or in a sexual situation

12. FACTS ABOUT SEXUAL ABUSE
75% of the offenders are known to the child or the child’s family
90% of the victims are girls
Greatest risk is for children under the age of three

13. SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE Child has difficulty walking or sitting
Suddenly refuses to change for gym classes or to participate in physical activities
Demonstrates strange, sophisticated or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior

14. SIGNS OF SEXUAL ABUSE Physical signs of abuse in genital area
Chronic stomach aches or other physical complaints
Reports of abuse to parent/guardian or other adult caregivers