resources
Signs of Abuse and Prevention
Click below to download information on how to identify abuse and ways to prevent it.
| signs_of_child_abuse.pdf |
| preventing_child_sexual_abuse.pdf |
Signs of Abuse
Indicators of child abuse may include but are not limited to the signs listed below. Some signs that a child is experiencing violence or abuse are more obvious than others. Trust your instincts. Suspected abuse is enough of a reason to contact the authorities. You do not need proof.
1) Unexplained injuries. Visible signs of physical abuse may include unexplained burns or bruises in the shape of objects. You may also hear unconvincing explanations of a child’s injuries.
2) Changes in behavior. Abuse can lead to many changes in a child’s behavior. Abused children often appear scared, anxious, depressed, withdrawn or more aggressive.
3) Returning to earlier behaviors. Abused children may display behaviors shown at earlier ages, such as thumb-sucking, bed-wetting, fear of the dark or strangers. For some children, even loss of acquired language or memory problems may be an issue.
4) Fear of certain places or people. Abused children may express apprehension or anxiety about leaving school or about going places with the person who is abusing them.
5) Changes in eating. The stress, fear and anxiety caused by abuse can lead to changes in a child’s eating behaviors, which may result in weight gain or weight loss.
6) Changes in sleeping. Abused children may have frequent nightmares or have difficulty falling asleep, and as a result may appear tired or fatigued.
7) Changes in school performance and attendance. Abused children may have difficulty concentrating in school or have excessive absences, sometimes due to adults trying to hide the children’s injuries from authorities.
8) Lack of personal care or hygiene. Abused and neglected children may appear uncared for. They may present as consistently dirty and have severe body odor, or they may lack sufficient clothing for the weather.
9) Risk-taking behaviors. Young people who are being abused may engage in high-risk activities such as using drugs or alcohol or carrying a weapon.
10) Inappropriate sexual behaviors. Children who have been sexually abused may exhibit overly sexualized behavior or use explicit sexual language.
If a child outcries:
DO
Remain calm.
Believe the child.
Allow the child to talk.
Show interest and concern.
Reassure and support the child’s feelings.
Take action. It could save the child’s life.
DON'T
Panic or overreact.
Press the child to talk.
Promise anything you can’t control.
Confront the offender.
Blame or minimize the child’s feelings.
Overwhelm the child with questions.
There are more than 70 children’s advocacy centers (CACs) located throughout Texas serving approximately 60,000 children each year. Your local CAC offers a child-friendly environment where children and their families can begin the healing process.
It is the goal of all local CACs to reduce trauma to child abuse victims and their families by offering six core services: joint investigation coordination, forensic interviews, medical evaluations, multidisciplinary team case review with investigative entities, trauma-focused therapy, and family advocacy and victim support.
CACs also offer volunteer opportunities and trainings for educators, local community members, and others interested in learning how they can make a difference for child victims of abuse.
1) Unexplained injuries. Visible signs of physical abuse may include unexplained burns or bruises in the shape of objects. You may also hear unconvincing explanations of a child’s injuries.
2) Changes in behavior. Abuse can lead to many changes in a child’s behavior. Abused children often appear scared, anxious, depressed, withdrawn or more aggressive.
3) Returning to earlier behaviors. Abused children may display behaviors shown at earlier ages, such as thumb-sucking, bed-wetting, fear of the dark or strangers. For some children, even loss of acquired language or memory problems may be an issue.
4) Fear of certain places or people. Abused children may express apprehension or anxiety about leaving school or about going places with the person who is abusing them.
5) Changes in eating. The stress, fear and anxiety caused by abuse can lead to changes in a child’s eating behaviors, which may result in weight gain or weight loss.
6) Changes in sleeping. Abused children may have frequent nightmares or have difficulty falling asleep, and as a result may appear tired or fatigued.
7) Changes in school performance and attendance. Abused children may have difficulty concentrating in school or have excessive absences, sometimes due to adults trying to hide the children’s injuries from authorities.
8) Lack of personal care or hygiene. Abused and neglected children may appear uncared for. They may present as consistently dirty and have severe body odor, or they may lack sufficient clothing for the weather.
9) Risk-taking behaviors. Young people who are being abused may engage in high-risk activities such as using drugs or alcohol or carrying a weapon.
10) Inappropriate sexual behaviors. Children who have been sexually abused may exhibit overly sexualized behavior or use explicit sexual language.
If a child outcries:
DO
Remain calm.
Believe the child.
Allow the child to talk.
Show interest and concern.
Reassure and support the child’s feelings.
Take action. It could save the child’s life.
DON'T
Panic or overreact.
Press the child to talk.
Promise anything you can’t control.
Confront the offender.
Blame or minimize the child’s feelings.
Overwhelm the child with questions.
There are more than 70 children’s advocacy centers (CACs) located throughout Texas serving approximately 60,000 children each year. Your local CAC offers a child-friendly environment where children and their families can begin the healing process.
It is the goal of all local CACs to reduce trauma to child abuse victims and their families by offering six core services: joint investigation coordination, forensic interviews, medical evaluations, multidisciplinary team case review with investigative entities, trauma-focused therapy, and family advocacy and victim support.
CACs also offer volunteer opportunities and trainings for educators, local community members, and others interested in learning how they can make a difference for child victims of abuse.
Preventing Child Sexual Abuse
What Parents & Caregivers Can Do
Below are several steps you as a parent or caregiver can take to reduce the likelihood of abuse. Taking steps to prevent child sexual abuse is an important part of protecting children and keeping them safe.
1) Know the facts about child sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is more common than people think. In fact, approximately 1 in 10 children will be sexually abused by the time they turn 18. Sexual abuse can happen to both boys and girls of all ages, races, ethnicities, and family backgrounds. Children are often too scared, confused, or embarrassed to report sexual abuse right away, so it often continues without parents or caregivers knowing about it.
2) Know the facts about perpetrators. Many parents or caregivers already warn their children to be careful around strangers; however, sexual abuse is usually committed by someone that the child knows and trusts. Perpetrators are often family members or close friends of the child’s family. Perpetrators can also be older children or youth.
3) Talk to your child about their body, about boundaries, and about sexual abuse. The other side of this resource contains information and tips for talking to your child about these important topics.
4) Support your child’s participation in school-based safety and prevention programs. Many schools offer safety and prevention programs to children. You can increase the effectiveness of these programs by getting involved and talking to your child about what they have learned.
5) Take steps to increase safety in your child’s environment. Understand that most sexual abuse occurs when a child is alone with an adult or older child. Consider minimizing situations in which your child is one-on-one with an adult (other than a parent or caregiver) or older child. Choose group activities or activities in public places when possible. Conduct background checks, interviews, and reference checks when choosing a childcare provider. Drop in unannounced when other people are caring for your child.
6) Teach your child about internet safety. Teach your child about online predators who target children. Instruct them not to give out personal information or exchange photos over the internet. Teach your child that they should never take photos of their private parts. Monitor your child’s internet use and apply parental controls.
7) Be familiar with signs and symptoms of abuse. Knowing the signs and symptoms of abuse may help you recognize abuse if it does occur. Visit cactx.org to learn more.
8) Know how to respond to disclosures of abuse. If a child discloses that abuse has occurred, always believe the child. Listen to them in a calm and supportive way. Responding emotionally may cause the child to think that you are upset with them, that they did something wrong, or that they should not have told you. Remaining calm is important. Let the child know that they did the right thing by telling you. Always report the abuse.
1) Know the facts about child sexual abuse. Sexual abuse is more common than people think. In fact, approximately 1 in 10 children will be sexually abused by the time they turn 18. Sexual abuse can happen to both boys and girls of all ages, races, ethnicities, and family backgrounds. Children are often too scared, confused, or embarrassed to report sexual abuse right away, so it often continues without parents or caregivers knowing about it.
2) Know the facts about perpetrators. Many parents or caregivers already warn their children to be careful around strangers; however, sexual abuse is usually committed by someone that the child knows and trusts. Perpetrators are often family members or close friends of the child’s family. Perpetrators can also be older children or youth.
3) Talk to your child about their body, about boundaries, and about sexual abuse. The other side of this resource contains information and tips for talking to your child about these important topics.
4) Support your child’s participation in school-based safety and prevention programs. Many schools offer safety and prevention programs to children. You can increase the effectiveness of these programs by getting involved and talking to your child about what they have learned.
5) Take steps to increase safety in your child’s environment. Understand that most sexual abuse occurs when a child is alone with an adult or older child. Consider minimizing situations in which your child is one-on-one with an adult (other than a parent or caregiver) or older child. Choose group activities or activities in public places when possible. Conduct background checks, interviews, and reference checks when choosing a childcare provider. Drop in unannounced when other people are caring for your child.
6) Teach your child about internet safety. Teach your child about online predators who target children. Instruct them not to give out personal information or exchange photos over the internet. Teach your child that they should never take photos of their private parts. Monitor your child’s internet use and apply parental controls.
7) Be familiar with signs and symptoms of abuse. Knowing the signs and symptoms of abuse may help you recognize abuse if it does occur. Visit cactx.org to learn more.
8) Know how to respond to disclosures of abuse. If a child discloses that abuse has occurred, always believe the child. Listen to them in a calm and supportive way. Responding emotionally may cause the child to think that you are upset with them, that they did something wrong, or that they should not have told you. Remaining calm is important. Let the child know that they did the right thing by telling you. Always report the abuse.
Talking to Your Child
Talking to your child is an important step in preventing child sexual abuse. It not only provides them with needed information, but also promotes healthy development, increases self-esteem, and fosters a positive relationship between you and your child.
1) Talk to your child about their body. Teach your child the correct names for body parts, which parts of their bodies are considered “private,” and that other people should not touch or see these parts of their bodies, except when it is appropriate (such as a parent helping with hygiene or at a doctor’s appointment).
2) Talk to your child about boundaries. Teach your child that their body is their own and that they have a right to say “NO” when they don’t want to be touched. Explain to your child that it is not okay for others to touch your child’s private parts or for someone to ask your child to touch their private parts. Do not force your child to hug or kiss family members or friends.
3) Talk to your child about what to do. Explain that sometimes, people who abuse children might be people they trust, such as family members, friends, or even older children. Teach your child to say “NO,” go to a safe place, and tell a trusted adult if something happens.
4) Talk to your child about keeping secrets. People who abuse children often ask them to keep secrets. Teach your child that they should NEVER keep secrets from their parents or caregivers.
5) Talk to your child about disclosing. Let your child know that they should always tell you if something happens that makes them
uncomfortable. Instruct your child to tell you immediately if anyone tries to touch their private parts or engage in any inappropriate activity with them.
6) Begin having these conversations with children at a very young age. Even very young children can be abused, so starting these conversations early is important. Be sure to use terms that are appropriate for your child’s level of development.
7) Encourage open communication with your child. Speak to your child in a way that is warm, open, and supportive. Important conversations like these should take place in the context of a supportive, trusting relationship.
1) Talk to your child about their body. Teach your child the correct names for body parts, which parts of their bodies are considered “private,” and that other people should not touch or see these parts of their bodies, except when it is appropriate (such as a parent helping with hygiene or at a doctor’s appointment).
2) Talk to your child about boundaries. Teach your child that their body is their own and that they have a right to say “NO” when they don’t want to be touched. Explain to your child that it is not okay for others to touch your child’s private parts or for someone to ask your child to touch their private parts. Do not force your child to hug or kiss family members or friends.
3) Talk to your child about what to do. Explain that sometimes, people who abuse children might be people they trust, such as family members, friends, or even older children. Teach your child to say “NO,” go to a safe place, and tell a trusted adult if something happens.
4) Talk to your child about keeping secrets. People who abuse children often ask them to keep secrets. Teach your child that they should NEVER keep secrets from their parents or caregivers.
5) Talk to your child about disclosing. Let your child know that they should always tell you if something happens that makes them
uncomfortable. Instruct your child to tell you immediately if anyone tries to touch their private parts or engage in any inappropriate activity with them.
6) Begin having these conversations with children at a very young age. Even very young children can be abused, so starting these conversations early is important. Be sure to use terms that are appropriate for your child’s level of development.
7) Encourage open communication with your child. Speak to your child in a way that is warm, open, and supportive. Important conversations like these should take place in the context of a supportive, trusting relationship.
How to respond To An Outcry Of abuse
1) Remain calm.
2) Always believe the child. Children rarely lie about such an intense and painful topic. In fact, statistics indicate that children only lie about abuse 2-8% of the time! Your response to the disclosure of abuse is critical to the child's ability to resolve and heal.
3) Assure the child that they did the right thing in telling. A child who is close to the abuser may feel guilty about revealing the secret. The child may feel frightened if the abuser has threatened to harm the child or other family members as punishment for disclosing the abuse.
4) Tell the child that they are not to blame for the abuse. In attempting to make sense of the abuse, most children will believe that somehow they caused it or may even view it as a form of punishment for imagined or real wrongdoings.
5) Do not make promises.
6) Let the child tell their story but leave the questioning to the professionals. In child abuse cases, the child's statement will often be the key evidence utilized by investigators to determine the facts of what has occurred. Preservation of the statement is critical to ensuring the integrity of the investigation. Therefore, when responding to an outcry, let the child use his/her own words to tell you what has happened, but leave the detailed questioning to the professionals. This is critical to ensuring the integrity of the investigation.
7) File a report with child protective services within 48 hours.
2) Always believe the child. Children rarely lie about such an intense and painful topic. In fact, statistics indicate that children only lie about abuse 2-8% of the time! Your response to the disclosure of abuse is critical to the child's ability to resolve and heal.
3) Assure the child that they did the right thing in telling. A child who is close to the abuser may feel guilty about revealing the secret. The child may feel frightened if the abuser has threatened to harm the child or other family members as punishment for disclosing the abuse.
4) Tell the child that they are not to blame for the abuse. In attempting to make sense of the abuse, most children will believe that somehow they caused it or may even view it as a form of punishment for imagined or real wrongdoings.
5) Do not make promises.
6) Let the child tell their story but leave the questioning to the professionals. In child abuse cases, the child's statement will often be the key evidence utilized by investigators to determine the facts of what has occurred. Preservation of the statement is critical to ensuring the integrity of the investigation. Therefore, when responding to an outcry, let the child use his/her own words to tell you what has happened, but leave the detailed questioning to the professionals. This is critical to ensuring the integrity of the investigation.
7) File a report with child protective services within 48 hours.
Every Child. Every Service. Every Effort.
Remember, you are obligated by law to report suspected child abuse. If you suspect a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
For all other cases in Texas, call the abuse and neglect hotline at 800.252.5400.
For all other cases in Texas, call the abuse and neglect hotline at 800.252.5400.
Heart of Texas Children's Advocacy Center
1305 Early Blvd.
Early, Texas 76802
Phone: 325-646-7148
1305 Early Blvd.
Early, Texas 76802
Phone: 325-646-7148