CHANGES IN BEHAVIOR

Abuse can lead to many changes in behavior. Abused children often appear scared, anxious, depressed, withdrawn or more aggressive.

FEAR OF GOING HOME

Abused children may express apprehension or anxiety about leaving school or about going places with the person who is abusing them or exhibit an unusual fear of a familiar person or place.

CHANGES IN SCHOOL PERFORMANCE & 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.

CHANGES IN SLEEPING

Abused children may have frequent nightmares or have difficulty falling asleep, and as a result, may appear tired or fatigued.

INAPPROPRIATE SEXUAL BEHAVIORS

Children who have been sexually abused may exhibit overly sexualized behavior or use explicit sexual language and may exhibit symptoms of a genital infection.

RETURNING TO EARLIER BEHAVIORS

Abused children may display behaviors shown at earlier ages, such as thumb-sucking, bed-wetting, fear of the dark or fear of strangers. For some children, even loss of acquired language or memory problems may be an issue.

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.

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.

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.

UNEXPLAINED INJURIES

Children who have been physically abused may exhibit unexplained burns or bruises in the shape of objects. You may also hear unconvincing explanations of a child’s injuries.