Child Abuse Symptoms

Child Symptoms

Being overly affectionate or knowledgeable in a sexual way inappropriate to the child’s age. Many children will act out with other children who become alarmed or scared of the abused child.

Mimicking sexual activity.

Medical problems such as chronic itching, pain in the genitals, anus, venereal diseases. Unexplained changes to your child's body. Redness or inflammation of private part.

Other extreme reactions, such as depression, self-mutilation, suicide attempts, running away, overdoses, anorexia, hysteria for no apparent reason. Hyper reactions.

Personality changes such as becoming insecure or clinging denotes fear.

Regressing to younger behavior patterns such as thumb sucking or bringing out discarded stuffed animals showing a need for security.

Sudden loss of appetite or compulsive eating of comfort foods like sweets, candy, donuts, icecream etc. Sudden eating swings.

Inability to concentrate or study. Preoccupied.

Being isolated or withdrawn-preferring to be alone.

The flip side, fear of being left alone for even a very short time.

Lack of trust or fear of someone they know well, such as not wanting to be alone with a babysitter or child minder is a sure sign that things need looked at closely.

Starting to wet themselves or the bed again, nightmares-patterns of fear dreams.

Become agitated about clothing being removed

Suddenly drawing sexually explicit pictures or unexplained knowledge of sexual information.

Trying to be the perfect child; acting touchy and overreacting to criticism shows a belief that their behavior causes what the child fears-more abuse.

Physical Abuse

Unexplained recurrent injuries, bumps, bruises, redness on limbs, claw marks, punctures or burns.

Making excuses or refusal to explain injuries at all.

Not wanting to get undressed for bed or baths unless alone.

Wearing clothes to cover injuries, long sleeves even in hot weather.

Refusal to undress for gym shows fear of discovery of injuries or fear of further exploitation or a poor "body image".

Missing hair or patches of baldness.

Fear of doctors or physical exams.

Running away from home or avoiding certain circumstances.

Self-destructive acting out-breaking things, disobeying, out of character actions and ignoring rules whether family rules or other rules.

Anger, starting fights, hitting, punching and being mean.

Abuse of animals. "Getting even using the animal as a proxy for the abuser.".

Fear of being touched, hugged, kissed or even patted.

Ducking or weaving-flinching when someone makes a fast move or attempts to kiss or embrace the child.

Emotional Abuse

Acting age inappropriate. Acting younger than previously-regression of emotional development.

Sudden speech disorders-stuttering etc.

Continual self-depreciation (‘I'm fat, dumb, ugly, worthless, etc’) Overreaction to their mistakes or punishing themselves for mistakes or being depressed by mistakes.

Extreme fear of any new situation is very common-many children will hide, cry and shake at even the mention of new experiences.

Inappropriate response to pain feelings of (‘I had this coming’) Neurotic behavior (rocking, hair twisting, causing themselves pain or even self-mutilation)

Anger followed by passivity or Passivity followed by anger..running hot and cold constantly.

Tip Offs To Child Providers You Should Avoid

Check For Licenses or State Certificates-County-Township-Social Services etc.

A call first policy that requires you to call before visiting the Provider or Sitter. You should have unannounced access every minute your child is in someone's care.

A Child Care Provider who cannot show you legitimate background checks on anyone employed by them and their own family. This isn't asking too much. If you still have questions, check them out yourself.

Tour the facility. Where are the bathrooms? Bathrooms must be very close to the main room of the center. The more removed the bathrooms are, the greater chance of undetected abuse. Most abuse occurs in bathrooms.

Are there any rooms used by the provider that are removed from plain sight of the other children or staff?

Are there any rooms you cannot inspect?

How does the provider-baby sitter handle bad behavior? Ask questions. Make sure you know first. Set your guidelines.

What does the provider-baby sitter consider as bad behavior? In other words, is your child subject to discipline for bodily functions out of control or excessive emotions at times?

Who Abuses Children In "The Care System"?

Although some teachers have abused children and a few Day Care Providers have abused children, the most common child abusers in the child care system are the husbands and sons of Day Care Providers or the custodial help and aides as well as the neighborhood baby sitter themselves and or their family.

Be concerned before you employ anyone to take care of your child because the damage that is done to the child is often life long as my family can attest to. Whether your child is five or fifty-five the damage will still affect them on differing levels. Decades of counseling and failed personal and business relationships are often the result of child abuse. And the worst case scenarios are that abused children either commit suicide, become addicted to drugs, abuse others themselves or simply cannot trust anyone. That's a horrible legacy that can and should be avoided by every parent.

I realize that in this world of ours parents are busy. Child Care has become normal everywhere. But checking out the past of Child Care Providers and their employees and family as well as Baby Sitters can save parents from a lot of grief that has no end.

Go with your gutt. If anything doesn't feel right, find someone else! Don't trust your friends to make your choices with your children because they won't pay your price if they are wrong. You will and your child will-forever.