1. Session 3

1.3. Page 2

CCS3150 Sesson 3

Session 3: Child Abuse, Family Violence, and Community Resources

 

Neglect
 

Neglect is failure to provide a child with the necessities of life, including failure to obtain needed medical, surgical, or other treatment.

 

Neglect is not always obvious. It can affect the child’s maturation process and can have serious, long-term psychological effects.

 

Indicators of Neglect

The child may

  • be underweight, dehydrated, emaciated, or have a distended stomach

  • show improvement of developmental delays following proper stimulation and care

  • demonstrate signs of deprivation: cradle cap, severe diaper rash, diarrhea, vomiting, anemia, recurring respiratory problems

  • be consistently dirty or dressed inappropriately for weather, or wear torn clothing

  • often be hungry or thirsty

  • often be tired or listless

  • demand much physical contact and attention

  • assume role of parent or adult in the family

  • lack proper medical and dental care

  • have poor hygiene

  • have unattended medical or dental problems such as infected sores, decayed teeth, lack of needed glasses

The adult may

  • maintain a chaotic home life with little evidence of personal care routines

  • not supervise child for long periods of time or not supervise when child is involved in potentially dangerous activity

  • leave child in care of inappropriate persons

  • give child inappropriate food, drink, medicine

  • consistently bring child early and pick up late

  • be apathetic toward child’s progress, hard to reach by phone, and fail to keep appointments to discuss child and concerns

  • overwork or exploit child

  • show evidence of apathy, feelings of futility


 

Physical Abuse
 

Physical abuse is an intentional, substantial, and observable injury to a child.

 

Children often explain injuries by attributing them to accidents in play or sibling conflict. If you have any doubt, call a child welfare worker for help in deciding whether to make a report.

 

Indicators of Physical Abuse

The child may show the following physical signs:

  • unexplained (or poorly explained) bruises and welts

  • a number of scars in a regular pattern

  • bruises of varying colours in the shape of an object (cord, rope, belt, buckle, clothes hanger)

  • bald spots or missing teeth

  • human bite marks

  • unexplained burns; for example, cigarette-shaped burns, immersion burns (e.g., glove-shaped, sock-shape), electric iron or burner-shaped burns

  • unexplained (or poorly explained) fractures, sprains, dislocations, or head injuries

  • inflamed tissue suggesting scalding

  • consumption of a poisonous, corrosive, or non-medical, mind-altering substance

  • poor hygiene

The child may

  • be wary of physical contact with adults

  • seem afraid of parent or other person

  • be frightened in the face of adult disapproval

  • be apprehensive when other children cry

  • show extremes of behaviour—aggressive/withdrawn

  • be over-anxious to please

  • approach any adult including strangers

  • be defensive about injuries

  • have low self-esteem

  • wear clothing that covers body even though the weather is warm

  • not tolerate physical contact or touch

  • run away often

  • be unable to form good peer relationships

  • be reluctant to undress when others are around

The adult may

  • be angry, impatient; frequently lose or almost lose control

  • appear unconcerned about child’s condition

  • view child as bad or as the cause of life’s problems

  • resist discussion of child’s condition or family situation

  • view questions with suspicion

  • use discipline inappropriate to child’s age, condition, and situation

  • offer illogical, contradictory, unconvincing, or no explanation of injuries

  • show poor understanding of normal child development (for example, may expect adult-like, mature behaviour from a young child)


 

Sexual Abuse
 

Sexual abuse is inappropriate exposure or subjection to sexual contact, activity, or behaviour. Sexual abuse might show itself in a broad range of indicators. Although these indicators might reveal sexual abuse, they might also reveal other psychological or physical trauma.

 

Disclosure
 

The single most important indicator is a child telling someone about the abuse. The disclosure might be direct or indirect. Children commonly delay telling anyone about chronic or even acute sexual abuse. All disclosures should be taken seriously.

 

Indicators of Sexual Abuse

Physical evidence of sexual abuse is rare. Often with young children, abuse is not intercourse but touching, which may leave no physical signs. Where physical evidence is present, it may include

  • torn, stained, or bloody clothing

  • pain or itching in genital area or throat, difficulty going to the bathroom or swallowing

  • bruises, bleeding or swelling of genital, rectal, or anal areas

  • vaginal odour or discharge

  • stomach aches, headaches, or other psychosomatic complaints

The child may

  • use language and make drawings that are sexually explicit

  • fantasize excessively

  • show fear of closed spaces

  • resist undressing or diaper changes

  • masturbate excessively

  • exhibit seductive behavior

  • express premature or inappropriate understanding of sexual behaviour with peers or toys

  • be excessively curious about sexual matters or genitalia of others or self

  • wet pants (in a previously trained child)

  • soil pants

  • have eating disturbances (over-eating or under-eating)

  • have fears/compulsive behavior

  • have school problems or significant changes in school performance

  • display age-inappropriate behaviour, pseudo-maturity, or regressive behaviour, such as bed-wetting and thumb-sucking

  • be unable to concentrate

  • have sleep disturbances, such as nightmares, fear of falling asleep, and sleeping long hours

The adult may

  • often be domineering but emotionally weak

  • suggest or indicate marital or relationship difficulties with adult

  • indicate own social isolation, loneliness, especially as a single parent

  • cling to child, both physically and emotionally; hold and touch the child in an inappropriate way

  • tend to blame others for life’s problems and child’s sexual behaviour—may even
    accuse child of causing sexual abuse

Alberta Children’s Services, “Protocols for Handling Child Abuse and Neglect in Child Care Services” (May 2000), 5. <www.calgaryandareacfsa.gov.ab.ca/home/documents/AdditionalResources/DC_Inv_Protocol.pdf>; (March 2010). Reproduced with permission.


 

Behavioural indicators of sexual abuse include the following:

  • excessive tiredness (from nightly vigilance)
  • isolation from other children
  • early arrival and late departure—not wanting to go home
  • layered clothing

If any of these indicators are present, monitor the situation carefully. Look for the more specific indicators listed in the chart titled “Indicators of Sexual Abuse” and decide whether a report should be made immediately.

 

The charts presented in Inquiry 1 show the indicators of specific forms of abuse and neglect. In any given situation, the abuse and neglect may be of one specific type or may be a combination of several of the types described.

 

Emotional Abuse
 

Emotional abuse is the substantial and observable impairment of a child’s mental or emotional functioning that is caused by

  • rejection
  • deprivation of affection and/or cognitive stimulation
  • exposure to domestic violence or severe domestic disharmony
  • inappropriate criticism, threats, humiliation, accusations, or expectations
  • the mental or emotional condition of a parent/guardian
  • chronic alcohol or drug abuse by anyone living in the child’s home

Indicators of Emotional Abuse

The child’s appearance may not indicate or suggest the extent of the difficulty. The child may appear clean, well-groomed and well-nourished. Child’s facial expression and body carriage may indicate sadness, depression, timidity, or held-back anger.

 

The child may

  • appear overly compliant, passive, shy

  • show episodes of very aggressive, demanding, and angry behaviour

  • fear failure, have trouble concentrating or learning, and give up easily

  • be either boastful or negative about himself

  • constantly apologize

  • cry without provocation

  • be excessively demanding of adult attention

The adult may

  • blame or belittle child in public and at home

  • withhold comfort when child is frightened or distressed

  • treat other children in the family differently and better, showing more acceptance and loving and less criticism

  • tend to describe child in negative ways: “stupid,” “bad,” “trouble-maker,” and predict failure for child

  • hold child responsible for parent’s difficulties and disappointments

  • identify child with disliked relative

Alberta Children’s Services, “Protocols for Handling Child Abuse and Neglect In Child Care Services” (May 2000). 5. <www.calgaryandareacfsa.gov.ab.ca/home/documents/AdditionalResources/DC_Inv_Protocol.pdf>; (March 2010). Reproduced with permission.