The signs of child abuse are not always obvious and sometimes can be hard to spot as it depends on the type of abuse that the child is going through.
There are four types of abuse: physical, sexual, emotional/ psychological and neglect.
For example, the signs a child is being neglected may be different from the signs that a child is being abused sexually. A child might not feel able to tell anyone what is happening to them and sometimes children do not even realise that what is happening to them is abuse. Children may start realising they are going through abuse during information and awareness sessions organised in school.
Some common signs that there may be something concerning happening in a child’s life include unexplained changes in the child’s behaviour or personality, becoming withdrawn or seeming anxious and uncomfortable in the presence of certain persons. Another sign is when children become uncharacteristically aggressive towards peers and siblings.
You may notice a child shows lack of social skills and have no friends, whilst others have a poor bond with their parent. An indication of sexual abuse is when children have knowledge of adult issues which are inappropriate for their age. On the other hand, you may notice when children wear clothes inappropriate for the weather, for example, wearing long sleeves during the summer period gives an indication that children are trying to cover parts of their body maybe to cover a non-accidental bruise.
One must be particularly aware when children or young people skive, miss school, or go missing. Apart from the common signs in children, one must take note of any concerning behaviour in adults who have children in their care because they may be putting the children’s safety and well-being at risk.
These signs should not be taken in isolation because they may not necessarily mean that a child is being abused. There could be other things happening in the child’s life which are affecting their behaviour. So, the most important thing is that when you observe these signs, you shall seek professional help immediately so that a specialized assessment will be carried out. I SUGGEST YOU NAME WHO TO CONTACT! I can write something for you.