Phoenix AZ Child Molestation Attorney

Signs of Child Abuse

These are some common child abuse and child molestation indicators. This is not an exhaustive, nor an exclusive list.

Physical Abuse Indicators: unexplained bruises, burns, skeletal injuries, head injuries, lacerations or abrasions school absences may correlate with appearance of injury. The child may be easily frightened or fearful wary of physical contact, afraid to go home or destructive to self and others.

Sexual Abuse Indicators: explicit or bizarre sexual knowledge, precocious sexually related speech or experimentation, loss of appetite, unexplained bruises/injuries in genital areas, anorexia or other stress related disorders, alcohol or drug abuse, frequent nightmares, unexplained gifts, extra money, or pornography in the child’s possession. The child may be obsessed with masturbation, withdrawn from normal human contact, depressed and having suicidal thoughts, self-destructive, or excessively fearful of selected individuals or locations.

Emotional Abuse Indicators: physical problems exacerbated by emotional distress, regressive behavior, failure to thrive in infancy or early childhood, low self-esteem. The child may be overly passive or aggressive, experiencing developmental lags or developing sleeping disorders.

Neglect Indicators: poor hygiene, lacks weather appropriate clothing, or unattended medical or dental needs. The child may be constantly fatigued, experiencing developmental lags, or begging or stealing food.

-- From the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information

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