How to Notice the Signs of Child Abuse
The US government claims that there were 872,000 reported cases of child abuse or neglect in 2004. Of course, there are countless other cases which were not reported. No child deserves to be mistreated, and it is of the utmost importance that everyone act within their abilities to protect them.
A New York foster care and adoption agency put together a list of warning signs to aid in the detection and reporting of child abuse, which include the following indicators:
- a child who fails to thrive
- a child who is improperly dressed for the weather
- a child who wears ill-fitting clothing or clothing in poor condition
- a child left without adequate supervision who has been injured by another child in the home
- a child who has indicated that a parenting adult is withholding food
- a parenting adult failing to provide adequate hygiene or seek medical attention for a child
- a child suddenly exhibiting signs of depression
- a child who is always tired
- a child who is always late to school
- a child who rapidly gains a tremendous amount of weight
- a child who exhibits an unhealthy preoccupation with sex
- a child whose behavior changes noticeably in any way
a child who has indicated that a parenting adult is withholding food
and
a child who rapidly gains a tremendous amount of weight
Could be the same child...
"a child who exhibits an unhealthy preoccupation with sex
a child whose behavior changes noticeably in any way"
Could be pre-teens.
Don't we need better definitions.