Forms of abuse include: physical, mental, sexual abuse or physical neglect. It is often very difficult to discover children who are mentally or sexually abused. Very few statistics are available, since the subject is highly emotive & difficult to quantify.
However, most researches agree that child abuse is alarmingly high & generally goes unreported.
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This section provides simple guidelines which may help you detect child abuse. Be sure to seek professional advice should you have cause for concern.
Physical abuse & neglect are reasonably easy to identify. Battered baby syndrome is indicated by:
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bruising of arms, legs & trunk
{history} of frequent {fractures} of limbs, with visits to hospital accident departments
history of numerous small burns
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Neglect & privation can be normally suspected when the child is ill clothed, unkempt, dirty & undernourished.
Research has shown that children are at greatest risk of sexual abuse from relatives or close family friends. Experience shows that children very rarely lie about sexual abuse. Small clues may include:
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aggressive behavior, severe tantrums
air of 'detachment,' or 'don't care'
watchful attitude
continual open {masturbation}
child only seems happy at school, or kept away from school
doesn't join in school social activities, has few friends
doesn't trust adults, particularly those who are close
'tummy pains', with no medical reason
eating problems (over-eating/loss of appetite)
disturbed sleep, nightmares, bed-wetting
running away from home
suicide attempts
self inflicted wounds
immature behavior
depression & withdrawal
secretive relationship with adult, excluding others
unexpected talk about sex organs
sexual knowledge, far beyond child's expected experience
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There are several preventive measures you can take to alert your children to the dangers of abuse & how to avoid it. This will require building a trusting & open relationship between you & your child. What you tell your child will depend on their age, but even young children can understand simple messages:
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make sure they know you always believe them & that they shouldn't worry about telling you anything
if they don't need to be accompanied by an adult, children should always be with their peers
they should always take the same route home
thoroughly check out baby sitters/child minders
they shouldn't go into public places unaccompanied (e.g. bathrooms, WC's)
they can do anything they like when faced with danger (run away, scream, shout, kick, punch, lie) - their safety matters most
