Safeguarding
Our Children
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Effects
of Child Abuse
These are
some of the typical responses of children as a result of
abuse. They may exhibit "symptoms" at different
developmental stages. These responses overlay, and are not
designed to be rigidly applied. They are general guidelines.
All children respond to abuse individually. If you have any
questions regarding symptoms please consult with a
professional.
Infants
& Toddlers
Physical Abuse
- withdrawal/apathy
- aggressive behavior
- head-banging
- hyper vigilance
- fearfulness/anxiety
- subdued crying
- clinginess
- poor eye contact
- indiscriminate attaching
- extreme or inappropriate
reaction to pain
Sexual Abuse
- sexualized behavior
(excessive masturbation or inserting objects)
- stiff body/difficulty
sleeping, relaxing
- clingy
- difficulty eating
- colicky
- passive/withdrawn
- fussy
Neglect
- withdrawal/apathy
- rocking
- fearfulness
- lethargic
Latency
Age
Physical Abuse
- withdrawal/apathy
- aggressive behavior
- self destructive behavior
- attention getting (e.g fire
setting)
- self-mutilation/accident
prone
- school difficulties
- speech or learning
difficulties
- fear of failure
- drug or alcohol abuse
- running away
Sexual Abuse
- sexualized behavior
- inability to relate to
peers
- seeks out or avoids adults
- parentified (pseudomature)
- manipulative behavior
- distracted easily/
daydreams
- eating disorders (bulimia,
obesity, anorexia)
- school problems
Neglect
- withdrawal/apathy
- fearful
- learned helplessness (can't
reach out for help)
- hordes food
- clingy or needy
- pseudo-independent
- regressive behavior (thumb
sucking)
Adolescence
Physical Abuse
- withdrawal/apathy
- aggressive behavior
- anti-social behavior (e.g.
car theft, truancy)
- inability to relate to
peers
- identifies with "tough
guy" image (punk rock, gangs)
- seeks out attention of
adults
- prostitution
- drug & alcohol abuse
- eating/school problems
Sexual Abuse
- sexualized behavior &
acting out
- promiscuity/prostitution
- defiance or compliance to
extreme
- isolated
- fearful/anxious
- self-mutilating
- suicidal gestures
- obsessively clean
- pseudo-mature
- eating disorders
- drug & alcohol abuse
- delinquent behavior/running
away
Neglect
- withdrawal/apathy
- aggressiveness
- obesity or other eating
disorder
- inability to make up or
keep friends
- unkempt to extreme
- drug & alcohol abuse
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