CHILD ABUSE INDICATORS

CHILD ABUSE INDICATORS

There are various forms of abuse and harm that has been inflicted on children. Below are several indicators for the various forms of child abuse.

If you have witnessed and act of child abuse or you suspect a child is being abused based of the listed indicators please call your local Child Protective Services to file a report and help end the violence.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS PLEASE CALL

775-784-8090 or 1-800-992-5757

CLICK HERE

for a the listing of statewide reporting agencies.

PHYSICAL ABUSE	NEGLECT	SEXUAL ABUSE
BRUISES OR WELTS:	INADEQUATE NUTRITION OR PERSONAL CARE	Sexual abuse includes any contact or interactions between a child and a parent, guardian or caretaker in which the child is being used for sexual gratification of the adult or other perpetrator.
Found on any of the following: Face, Lips, Mouth, Genitalia, Ear Lobes, Torso, Back, Buttocks, Thighs	Lack of sufficient food causing malnourishment and dehydration.	Sexual abuse includes a range of acts, conducts, activities, actions and practices. Examples: -Intercourse (vaginal, oral, and/or anal) -Attempted intercourse -Fondling of a child's breasts or genitals -Exhibitionism -Soliciting or engaging a child in prostitution -Showing a child pornographic films, videos, photos, or literature -Filming, photographing, or video-taping any activity involving the exhibition of a child's genitals or any sexual conduct with a child -Voyeurism
Cluster bruises - indicating repeated contact with the hand or instrument.	Child is suffering medically documented severe development lags.	SEXUAL ABUSE INDICATORS
Bruises in unusual patterns that are reflective of the instrument used to inflict the injury such as: Bite marks, Belt or Rope Marks	Chronic lack of physical care resulting in disease or illness.	Difficulty in walking or sitting Bladder or urinary tract infections Pain, swelling and redness, or itching in the genital area
Bruises in various stages of healing	ABANDONMENT	Bruises, bite marks, or bleeding in genital or anal area
LACERATIONS	Child is abandoned for long periods of time without parental contact or support.	Presences of suspicious stains, blood, or semen on child's body, underwear, or clothing
Cuts or tears or scratches on an infants face, such as tears to the gums.	LACK OF ADEQUATE SHELTER	Presence of sexually transmitted diseases
Any lacerations or abrasions to external genitalia	Resides in a structurally unsafe home or a residence with exposed electrical wiring.	Painful bowel movements or retention of feces
Abrasions on the back or arms, legs or torso.	Inadequate heating	Early, unexplained pregnancy in a non-sexually active child
ABDOMINAL INJURIES	Grossly unsanitary or dangerous housing conditions	BEHAVIORAL INDICATORS
Swelling of the abdomen	LACK OF SUPERVISION	Unwilling to participate in certain physical activities; wears extra layers of clothing
Localized tenderness or complaints of pain in the abdominal area.	The City of Reno Ordinance # 4380 states: "It shall be unlawful for any person who is a parent or guardian, or for any person who has been entrusted by a parent or guardian, to fail to supervise and attend a child or children under the age of ten (10) years."	Engages in delinquent acts or runaway behavior Has poor peer relationships, low self-esteem, social isolation, is secretive Displays bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior
Constant vomiting	Young child as stated above left alone.	Fear of the dark and recurrent nightmares, sleep disturbances
BURNS	Child left in the care of an adult who is incapable of monitoring the child or in the care of an older child who is too young in age or emotional makeup to protect the child	Changes in eating behaviors Regressive behavior Hostile, aggressive, acting out behaviors and play
"Wet Burns" indicative of dunking in a hot liquid.	Consistent lack of supervision, especially when child can engage in dangerous activities or when not supervised for long periods of time.	Decline or change in academic performance; school avoidance
Cigar or cigarette burns, especially on the soles of the feet, palms of the hand, on the back or the buttocks.	UNATTENDED MEDICAL NEEDS	Excessive, inappropriate fears
Patterned or dry burns, indicative of being forced to sit on a hot surface or hot implement applied to skin.	Parent knowingly fails to attend to child's medical needs for illness or injury which can result in chronic illness or disabling conditions.	Hiding Clothing
Rope burns on the arms, legs, neck, or torso.	Failure to Thrive Syndrome - Involves children 18 months or younger; REQUIRES A MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS to determine this condition is non-organic in origin. Some symptoms: -Childs height below 5th percentile, unusually thin, infantile proportions. -Pot Belly, skin dull, pale, cold, limbs cold and mottled. -Child rocks head or head banging. -Solitary and unable to play. -Delayed development, retarded speech and/or language. -Ravenous appetite -Marked growth spurts when out of the home; relapses upon return to the home environment.
SKELETAL INJURIES	EMOTIONAL NEGLECT
Unusual fractures (ribs, scapula, sternum)	Emotional neglect occurs when parents do not attend to the child's emotional needs or nurture the child on a constant basis.
Absence of hair or hemorrhaging beneath the scalp due to hair pulling.	Behavior indicators: -Impaired capacity to enjoy life -Bizarre behavior -Low self-esteem, withdrawn -Aggressive, defiant, domineering -Self-destructive, physically and socially.
Hemorrhaging due to violent shaking, hitting, or throwing of the child.