Child Abuse and Neglect

Question 1

Physical indicators of abuse

Answer 1

• The presence of multiple injuries in different stages of healing.
• The history “doesn’t fit.”
• Bruises on soft body parts of typically protected body parts (e.g., buttocks, abdomen, genitals).
• Linear bruises
• Bruises on the neck
• Rope Burns
• Bite marks
• Burns
• Head injuries, skull fractures

Question 2

Indicators of Neglect

Answer 2

• Self-stimulatory behavior or attempts to comfort themselves instead of turning to adults.
• Developmental delay, failure to thrive, poor weight gain, thin extremities, protruding abdomen
• Hoarding or stealing of food
• Chronic tiredness or drowsiness; falling asleep in school
• Dirty, unwashed, foul body odor, unchanged diapers, etc.
• Awkward peer relationships, half-hearted attempts at play.
• A variety of behavioral problems, due to lack of limits from caregivers.

Question 3

Behavioral and Emotional Indicators of Abuse:

Answer 3

• A child who is remote, withdrawn, compliant, detached, and unresponsive to engagement.
• Ambivalent, insecure attachment patterns
• Regressive behavior
• “Frozen watchfulness”
• Aggressive or hyperactive behavior
• Difficulty concentrating
• Lying, stealing, fighting, angry outbursts, aggression, drug use, truancy, social withdrawal, anxiety, depression, or dissociative episodes (Important to rule out abuse before viewing this as antisocial behavior or conduct disorder.)