Signs and Symptoms of Abuse
Signs of child abuse
Whether you're a professional mandated to report child abuse, a concerned neighbor-or a worried family member-you want to intervene when a child is being abused.
Types of child abuse
Signs and symptoms of abuse
Types of child abuse
In New York State (NYS), child abuse falls into three broad categories:
- Neglect
- Physical Abuse
- Sexual abuse
Abuse can be subtle and hard to pinpoint
While you can be vigilant for signs of abuse and neglect, keep in mind that children sometimes hide abuse to protect abusers. Their abusers are most frequently family members or people who know the child.
If a child's explanation of injury or behavior doesn't make sense to you, think twice before you accept the story.
For guidance don't hesitate to call the child abuse hotline.
Signs and symptoms of abuse
| Type of Abuse | Signs and Symptoms of Abuse |
| Neglect–Physical | › Inadequate food, clothes, hygiene—baby does not gain weight, child is hungry, dirty, smells offensive, wears clothes that are torn, dirty or inappropriate for the season › Inadequate healthcare—child has fever, cold, untended rashes or cuts, poor dentition › Abandonment—child is left alone at home or in car, wanders › Reckless disregard—drunk driving with child in car, baby or young child left unattended › Repeated absences from school, inattention to educational needs—homework undone, behavioral problems in class, tardiness |
| Neglect–Emotional | › Withholding affection—child withdrawn, clingy or angry › Allowing spouse or others to abuse child—signs of physical abuse › Allowing child to use alcohol or drugs—child drunk or high |
| Physical Abuse | › Any act of violence against a child: beating, whipping, hitting with fist, foot, belt or other object, shaking, shoving, pinching or biting child, pulling hair, burning with water or hot object, forcing under water—child shows welts, marks, bruises, cuts, broken bones, is depressed and avoids home |
| Sexual Abuse | › Fondling, kissing private parts, making child touch adults' private parts, forcing child to undress, spying on child in bathroom, showing child pornography, engaging in sex in front of child, telling sexually graphic jokes or stories in front of child, forcing or allowing child to prostitute self, vaginal, anal or oral sex with child—physical symptoms include pain, soreness, bleeding, bruising, sores, bumps, discharge, on or around genitals, burning or frequent urination, sexually transmitted disease; emotional symptoms include seductiveness, age-inappropriate knowledge of or interest in sex or pornography, fear of a particular person, child online continuously, pornography found on computer's browser history, child switches screen or turns off computer when parent passes by, mail sent to child from strangers, child emotionally withdrawn |
| Emotional Abuse | › Verbal insults, belittling, name-calling, making deprecating comparisons, blaming, withholding affection, locking child in closet, humiliating punishment, allowing child to witness abuse, sibling or peer bullying—emotional withdrawal, depression, hostility, faking illness to avoid school |
Mandated reporters: Need to report abuse? Want to speak with someone about your suspicion of abuse? Call the Mandated Reporters Child Abuse Hotline.
How much do you know about child abuse? Take a quick Quiz and find out.
Need more detailed NYS definitions of child abuse? See the Parents' Guide to New York State Child Abuse and Neglect Laws by the Administration for Children's Services also available in Spanish, la Guía para los Padres Sobre las Leyes del Estado de Nueva York con respecto al Abuso y Negligencia de Menores.
Parents: Need help controlling your temper? Want to stop hitting your child? Check out information just for families.
