In most cases, abused children will not just come out and tell you that they are being abused. This may be for a number of reasons:
- They fear betraying the abuser
- They have been led to believe that the abuse is their fault and so they feel ashamed to tell anyone.
- They have been threatened with harm to them, their family, their friends or their pets.
If you are concerned that a child is being abused don't keep it to yourself. It is important to help stop the abuse from happening. By learning some of the warning signs of abuse and neglect you can be more alert and responsive to a child who may need help. The most accurate ways to tell if abuse is happening are:
- If a child or friend tells you it is happening
- If you are present when abuse occurs
- If you see injuries that concern you and they are not believably explained
If your friend tells you that abuse is happening:
- Believe your friend and offer support
- It is important that your friend is made safe so the abuse can't continue to happen
- Don't keep it to yourself - tell an adult you can trust or a professional
It is important to help stop the abuse from happening. Other warning signs a child might be abused or neglected. Here are some signs of child abuse and neglect. There are other signs which are not included in this list. Though these signs do not automatically indicate that abuse has occurred they are warning signs that something is not right for the child or young person.
- Frequently has bruises, or injuries that are not satisfactorily explained. Examples could be broken bones, burns or scalds.
- Child seems sad most of the time
- Child has difficulty making friends
- Child displays difficult behaviour such as aggressiveness towards adults or other children
- Dressed inappropriately for the weather
- Begging or stealing food
- Poor health
- Dirty child, dirty clothes, unwashed hair
- Left alone for long periods of time
- Misses out on lots of school
- Having a great deal of knowledge about sex at a very young age or sexual behaviour that seems beyond her or his years
- Physical signs that a doctor will notice
- Feeling depressed or suicidal
- Fear of having their nappy changed or being bathed
- Sudden avoidance of familiar adults or places
- Drug or alcohol use
|
