Facts

• The longer the abuse continues, the more serious the injuries become and the more difficult it is to eliminate the abusive behaviour.
• Adults with a history of childhood abuse are more likely to abuse their own children and have:
  • a partner with a substance abuse problem
  • anxiety disorders
  • chronic head and/or pelvic pain
  • eating disorders
  • depression
  • obesity
  • asthma
  • gastrointestinal distress
  • insomnia
  • panic attacks
  • sexual dysfunction
  • substance abuse issues
  • dizzy spells
  • maladaptive coping mechanisms (such as self-injury)

Physical indicators of abuse

• Bruises: on areas of the body that are not frequently injured, in clusters, on infants, multiple and at various healing stages, blunt instrument marks, human hand marks or bite marks, discoloration of skin
• Burns: immersion burns, doughnut shapes on buttocks, cigarette burns, rope burns from confinement, dry burns caused by iron
• Lacerations and abrasions: on lips, eyes, baby’s face, on gum tissue caused by forced eating, on external genitals, strangulation marks
• Skeletal injuries: fractures from twisting and pulling, separation of bone and shaft, detachment of tissue of bone and shaft, spiral fractures, stiff and swollen joints
• Head injuries: missing or loosened teeth, absence of hair, haemorrhaging beneath scalp from hair pulling, haemorrhages from shaking or hitting, nasal or jaw fracture
• Internal injuries: intestinal injuries from hitting or kicking, rupture of heart-related blood vessels, inflammation of abdominal area
• High frequency of “accidents” or frequent injuries

Behavioural indicators in a child

• avoids physical contact with others
• plays aggressively, often hurting peers
• complains of pain upon movement or contact
• has difficulty getting along with other children
• seems reluctant to go home from school
• refuses to undress for gym class
• gives inconsistent versions about injuries
• often late or absent from school
• seems frightened by parents
• wears clothing to purposely conceal injuries
• withdrawn, overly compliant
• has a history of running away from home
• reports abuse by parents

The most important part is to observe patterns of events and the frequency of the occurrences. Some injuries alone could have a reasonable explanation but as a whole cause concern.

Behavioural indicators in adolescents

• substance abuse
• suicide attempts
• abnormal eating behaviour
• high-risk behaviours (speeding, engaging in non-protected sex, etc.)
• running away from home
• disrespectful towards others

Effects of abuse on a child

• academic difficulties
• aggressive behaviour
• substance abuse
• anxiety
• nightmares
• bedwetting
• chronic pain
• compulsive sexual behaviour
• concentration problems
• dehydration
• depression
• failure to thrive
• fear or shyness
• fear of certain adults
• insomnia
• lying
• malnutrition
• panic attacks
• headaches, stomach aches
• self-injury
• self-neglect
• separation anxiety
• social withdrawal
• stealing
• stuttering
• thumb-sucking
• inappropriate age behaviour

*Children will respond differently to similarly abusive situations – none of the symptoms above are diagnostic of child abuse. A child may also endure abuse without developing any of the symptoms above.

What you can do

If you feel you are being abused:

• say “no” loudly and get away
• tell someone you trust
• remember that it is not your fault
• find help in your community, at school, from your doctor, or call a helpline like the Kids Help Phone for anonymous help and advice

If you suspect someone is being abused:

• help the person find someone he or she trusts to talk to
• listen with open ears
• support him or her through the ordeal

Links

Kids Help Phone
Kids Health for kids
Statistics Canada : Family Violence in Canada
Health Canada : Violence in Aboriginal Communities
Canadian Red Cross- RespectED: Violence and Abuse Prevention