Indicators of Sexual Abuse

Physical Indicators

·         difficulty in walking or sitting

·         torn, stained or bloody underclothing

·         pain, swelling or itching in genital area

·         pain upon urination

·         bruises, bleeding or laceration in external genitals, vaginal/anal areas

·         vaginal/penile discharge

·         venereal disease

·         poor sphincter tone

·         excessive masturbation

Behavioral Indicators

·         unwilling to change for gym or participate in PE classes

·         withdrawal, fantasy or infantile behavior

·         bizarre, sophisticated or unusual sexual behavior or knowledge

·         poor peer relationships

·         delinquent or runaway

·         reports sexual assaults by caretaker

·         change in performance in school

·         sleeping disorders/nightmares

·         eating disorders

·         aggressive acting out

·         self-abusive behaviors:

o    drug addictions

o    alcohol addiction

o    self-mutilation

·         sexual acting-out on younger children

Indicators of Physical Abuse

Physical Indicators

Unexplained bruises and welts

·         on face, lips, mouth

·         on torso, back, buttocks, thighs

·         in various stages of healing

·         clustered, forming regular patterns
(e.g., electrical cord, belt)

·         on several different surface areas

·         regularly appear after absence, weekend, or vacation

Unexplained fractures/dislocations

·         to skull, nose, facial structure

·         in various stages of healing

·         multiple or spinal fracture

Unexplained burns

·         cigar, cigarette burns, especially on soles, palms, backs, or buttocks

·         immersion burns (sock-like, glove-like, doughnut-shaped on buttocks or genitals)

·         infected burns, indicating delay in seeking treatment

Bald patches on the scalp

Behavioral Indicators

·         feels deserving of punishment

·         wary of adult contact

·         apprehensive when others cry

·         behavioral extremes:

o    aggressiveness

o    withdrawal

·         frightened of parents

·         afraid to go home

·         reports injury by parent

·         vacant or frozen stare

·         lies very still while surveying surroundings

·         responds to questions in monosyllables

·         inappropriate or precocious maturity

·         manipulative behavior to get attention, capable of only superficial relationships

·         indiscriminately seeks affection

·         poor self-concept

Indicators of Neglect

Physical Indicators

·         underweight, poor growth patterns, failure to thrive

·         consistent hunger, poor hygiene, inappropriate dress

·         consistent lack of supervision, especially in dangerous activities or for long periods of time

·         wasting of subcutaneous tissue

·         unattended physical problems or medical needs

·         abandonment

·         bald patches on the scalp

Behavioral Indicators

·         begging, stealing food

·         extended stays at school (early arrival and late departure)

·         rare attendance at school

·         constant fatigue, listlessness or falling asleep in class

·         inappropriate seeking of affection

·         assuming adult responsibilities and concerns

·         alcohol or drug abuse

·         delinquency

·         reports that there is no caretaker

Indicators of Emotional Abuse

Physical Indicators

·         speech disorders

·         lags in physical development

·         failure to thrive

·         hyperactive/disruptive behavior

Behavioral Indicators

·         habit disorders (sucking, biting, rocking, etc.)

·         conduct/learning disorders

·         neurotic traits (sleep disorders, inhibition of play, unusual fearfulness)

·         psychoneurotic reactions (hysteria, obsessions, compulsions, phobias, hypochondriases)

·         behavior extremes

·         overly adaptive behaviors

·         suicide attempts

·         developmental lags