Recognising Signs Of Possible Abuse In Children

Look Out For Our Children

Children may be the victims of abuse which could be physical, emotional or sexual. Children may also be neglected or witness caregiver substance abuse. There are a number of watch points to look out for in children. Children react to abuse in different ways, depending on their context, their age, their personality and their developmental stage. There are a number of signs which could indicate that a child has been exposed to abuse. However, some children may show some of these from time to time, without having experienced a traumatic event.

Any major change in a child’s personality, eating or sleeping patterns may indicate that they have been exposed to a traumatic or abusive incident. Behavioural changes such as an increase in aggression (physical or verbal), intensified emotional responses (outbursts or anger) may indicate that a child is trying to cope with a situation which is difficult for them.

Children may also withdraw and not want to take part in activities they previously enjoyed or they may display behaviours or skills which they showed when they were much younger.  Speaking in a baby voice, thumb sucking, bedwetting or clinginess may indicate that the child is coping with something they do not understand or find emotionally challenging.

Children may also start to grumble about having stomach aches, headaches and other physical ailments, when there does not seem to be a physical cause.  Also a child may be sparked by smells, sights or sounds which remind them of what happened, which may lead to the child showing fear or having nightmares.

In addition, children may show sexual behaviours and knowledge which is age inappropriate. Children may also avoid physical contact and find difficulty in showing trust. In addition, these children may have poor concentration and start to exhibit learning challenges and difficulties which may be seen in a low level of performance at school. The child may also have difficulty expressing themselves and avoid having attention focused on them.

A child may have unexplained injuries, for which an unconvincing reason is given, or may appear uncared for with regards to their personal care or hygiene, appearing dirty or unsuitably dressed for the weather.  A child may also refuse to change in front of others and there may be blood on their underwear.A child may also fear going home or leaving a place they feel safe in.  A child may also be unwilling to go somewhere with a person who is abusing them or show fear for a person who is known to them.

Older children may also show signs of an eating disorder, or have drastic weight changes, becoming over or underweight. It is seldom that a child will display all these, the most important is to note the sudden appearance of any of the above and then to observe whether they are becoming a pattern.  As an adult you need to create a safe space for children, and if you are concerned, try to make a way for the child to express themselves, this could be through speaking, fantasy play, drawing, storytelling or writing.