Types of Child Abuse

• beating, whipping, paddling, punching, slapping, or hitting
• pushing, shoving, shaking, kicking or throwing
• pinching, biting, choking, or hair-pulling
• burning with cigarettes, scalding water, or other hot objects
• severe physical punishment that is inappropriate to child's age

• fondling, touching, or kissing a child's genitals
• making the child fondle the adult's genitals
• penetration, intercourse, incest, rape, oral sex or sodomy
• exposing the child to adult sexuality in other forms (showing sex organs to a child, forced observation of sexual acts, showing pornographic material, telling "dirty" stories, group sex including a child)
• other privacy violations (forcing the child to undress, spying on a child in the bathroom or bedroom)
• sexual exploitation
• enticing children to pornographic sites or material on the Internet
• luring children through the Internet to meet for sexual liaisons
• exposing children to pornographic movies or magazines
• child prostitution
• using a child in the production of pornography, such as a film or magazine

• ignoring, withdrawal of attention, or rejection
• lack of physical affection such as hugs
• lack of praise, positive reinforcement, or saying "I love you"
• yelling or screaming
• threatening or frightening
• negative comparisons to others
• belittling; telling the child he or she is "no good," "worthless," "bad," or "a mistake"
• using derogatory terms to describe the child, name-calling
• shaming or humiliating
• habitual scapegoat or blaming
• using extreme or bizarre forms of punishment, such as confinement to a closet or dark room, tying to a chair for long periods of time, or terrorizing a child
• parental child abduction

• physical
• educational
• emotional
• inadequate provision of food, housing, or clothing appropriate for season or weather
• lack of supervision
• expulsion from the home or refusal to allow a runaway to return home
• abandonment
• denial or delay of medical care
• inadequate hygiene
• not attending to the child's needs, including need for affection
• failure to provide necessary psychological care
• domestic violence in the child's presence, such as spousal or partner abuse
• drug and alcohol abuse in the presence of the child, or allowing the child to participate in drug and alcohol use

Signs and Symptoms of Child Abuse

• Unexplained burns, cuts, bruises, or welts in the shape of an object
• Bite marks
• Anti-social behavior
• Problems in school
• Fear of adults
• Drug or alcohol abuse
• Self-destructive or suicidal behavior
• Depression or poor self-image

• Inappropriate interest in or knowledge of sexual acts
• Seductiveness
• Avoidance of things related to sexuality, or rejection of own genitals or bodies
• Nightmares and bed wetting
• Drastic changes in appetite
• Over compliance or excessive aggression
• Fear of a particular person or family member
• Withdrawal, secretiveness, or depression
• Suicidal behavior
• Eating disorders
• Self-injury

• Apathy
• Depression
• Hostility
• Lack of concentration
• Eating disorders

• Unsuitable clothing for weather
• Being dirty or not bathed
• Extreme hunger
• Apparent lack of supervision

Facts and Figures

• Bruises, burns, and broken bones are more easily identified as child abuse than is sexual assault
• Approximately 31% of women in prison state that they had been abused as children.
• Long term effects of child abuse include fear, anxiety, depression, anger, hostility, inappropriate sexual behavior, poor self esteem, tendency toward substance abuse and difficulty with close relationships
• Child fatalities are the most tragic consequence of maltreatment. For 2002, an estimated 1,400 children died due to child abuse or neglect.
• An estimated 896,000 children were determined to be victims of child abuse or neglect for 2002.
• The biggest myth is that the dangers to children come from strangers. In the majority of cases, the perpetrator is someone the parents or child knows, and that person may be in a position of trust or responsibility to the child and family.