Identifying signs of child abuse and neglect In January of 2014, four-yearold Myls Dobson died in a New York City apartment from injuries sustained after days of abuse by his caregiver. Janaie Jones admitted to burning Myls, beating him with belts and hangers and keeping him locked up and alone in the bathroom for long, extended periods of time.
or be obsessive about getting good grades for fear of punishment. • Abused and neglected children may suffer from a lack of personal care or hygiene. Clothing may not be appropriate for the weather or appear dirty. • Abused kids could have sleep disturbances that cause them to appear tired.
Every year, more than three million reports of child abuse are made, and around four to seven children die each day due to neglect and abuse. Jones said this was all just a form of corporal punishment to control the young boy. In another horrifying instance of child abuse, a couple from Monroeville, Ind. were arrested the same month and charged with felony child neglect after several of their children were left in a frigid van parked outside of a motel. The remainder of the children were zip-tied to a chair in a motel room. Stories like these may be shocking, but unfortunately they are not rare. The organization Child Help says a report of child abuse or neglect is made every ten seconds in the United States. Every year, more than three million reports of child abuse are made, and around four to seven children die each day due to neglect and abuse. Child abuse
• Behaviors such as bed-wetting, thumb-sucking or other habits of early childhood may be brought on by abuse. Some children may have memory problems or stop speaking.
occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education. While many cases of abuse are discovered and reported, it’s likely that many more are not. It is estimated that between 50 and 60 percent of child fatalities due to maltreatment are not recorded as such on death certificates. Third-party observers may be unaware abuse is taking place until it is too late. Child abuse can be hard to distinguish, but certain visual clues or changes in behavior may indicate there is a problem. The Child Abuse Prevention Center and other organizations offer these signs of child abuse or neglect.
• There may be visible signs of injury, including bruises or burns. • Abused children may appear scared or anxious. They may also seem withdrawn or depressed. However, abused children also may act like nothing is wrong or become “class clowns” in an attempt to avoid unpleasant feelings. • Some abused kids may fear going home or to places where they may be abused. • Changes in school performance may indicate a problem. Some children will fall behind on work or have difficulty concentrating. Others may do especially well on tests
• Children who are abused may balk at normal, appropriate touch. They may not be able to distinguish between good and bad touch. • Risk-taking behavior may be present in abused children. The youngsters may be testing their minds and bodies to extremes or looking for another form of escapism. • Children who have been sexually abused may exhibit overly sexualized behavior or use explicit sexual language. If you have concerns that abuse is taking place, report your feelings to a local or state child protective service agency or the police precinct. Doing so could save a child’s life.