REMEMBER: None of these signs prove that child abuse is present, since any of these signs may be noticeable at one time or another. But when they occur repeatedly or in combination with one another, the child may be suffering abuse.

What are the types of Child Abuse and Neglect?

There are different types of child abuse including, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional or verbal abuse, and neglect.

  • Physical abuse may include hitting, slapping, pushing, or shaking.
  • Sexual abuse may include any sexual contact with a child, using a child for pornography, or exposing a child to adult sexual activity.
  • Emotional or verbal abuse may include put-downs, insults, or threats.
  • Neglect may include failing to provide for a child’s physical or emotional needs.

Who and Where?
Who abuses children – and where? Most child abuse occurs in the family home – parents, siblings, relatives, and visitors can all inflict abuse.

How can you tell if a child is being abused? 
Children who are physically abused may:
  • Be nervous around adults.
  • Be watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen.
  • Have difficulty playing.
  • Act aggressive to adults or other children.
  • Be unable to concentrate at school.
  • Suddenly underachieve – or overachieve – in school.
  • Find it difficult to trust other people and make friends.
  • Arrive at school too early, or leave after the other children.

How Can you Tell?
Children who are sexually abused may:
  • Behave differently when the abuse starts.
  • Care less about their appearance or their health.
  • Talk or behave sexually at too early an age.
  • Be secretive and stop talking about their home life.
  • Start soiling themselves.
  • Be unable to sleep.
  • Suddenly find physical contact frightening.
  • Run away from home.

Children who are emotionally or verbally abused or neglected may:
  • Have difficulty learning to talk.
  • Find it hard to develop close relationships.
  • Be over friendly with strangers.
  • Be unable to play imaginatively.
  • Think badly of themselves.
  • Underachieve at school.