2. Signs and Symptoms
Bruises (see below for more Damage to body organs
detail)
Poisonings - repeated
Fractures (prescribed drugs, alcohol)
Swollen joints Failure to thrive
Burns and Scalds (see below Coma/Unconsciousness
for more detail)
Death
Abrasions and Lacerations
There are many different
Hemorrhages (retinal, forms of physical abuse but
subdural) skin, mouth and bone injuries
are the most common.
http://www.abusewatch.net/child_signs.php
3. Warning Signs
Frequent injuries or unexplained bruises, welts, or cuts.
Is always watchful and “on alert,” as if waiting for
something bad to happen.
Injuries appear to have a pattern such as marks from a
hand or belt.
Shies away from touch, flinches at sudden movements,
or seems afraid to go home.
Wears inappropriate clothing to cover up injuries, such as
long-sleeved shirts on hot days.
http://www.helpguide.org/mental/child_abuse_physical_emotional_sexual_neglect.htm
4. Behavioural Signs
Be aggressive, oppositional, or defiant
Cower or demonstrate fear of adults
Act out, displaying aggressive or disruptive behavior
Be destructive to self or others
Come to school too early or not want to leave school—
indicating a possible fear of going home;
Show fearlessness or extreme risk taking
Be described as "accident prone”
http://pediatrics.about.com/od/childabuse/a/05_physcl_abuse.htm
http://www.seekarizona.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/behavioral-health-services-landing.png
5. Behavioural Signs (con’t)
Cheat, steal, or lie (may be related to too high expectations at
home)
Be a low achiever (to learn, children must convert aggressive
energy into learning; children in conflict may not be able to do
so)
Be unable to form good peer relationships
Wear clothing that covers the body and that may be
inappropriate in warmer months (be aware that this may be a
cultural issue as well)
Show regressive or less mature behavior
Dislike or shrink from physical contact
http://pediatrics.about.com/od/childabuse/a/05_physcl_abuse.htm
6. Primary Effects of Child Physical Abuse
The primary, or first, effects of child
physical abuse occur during and
immediately after the abuse. The child will
suffer pain and medical problems from
physical injury and, in severe cases, even
death. The physical pain from cuts, bruises,
burns, whipping, kicking, punching,
strangling, binding, etc., will eventually
pass, but the emotional pain will last long
after the visible wounds have healed.
http://www.healthyplace.com/abuse/child-physical-abuse/effects-of-child-physical-abuse/ (slide 6-8)
http://www.sarahbundy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/impact.jpg
7. Emotional Effects of Child Physical Abuse
The emotional effects of child physical abuse continue
well after any physical wounds have healed.
Some psychological and emotional effects of child
physical abuse include:
Eating disorders
Inability to concentrate (including ADHD)
Excessive hostility towards others, even friends and family
members
Depression
Apathy and lethargy
Sleep issues – insomnia, excessive sleepiness, sleep apnea
8. Social Effects of Child Physical Abuse
Many abused children find it difficult to form lasting and
appropriate friendships. They lack the ability to trust
others in the most basic of ways. Children who have
suffered long-term abuse lack basic social skills and
cannot communicate naturally as other children can.
These children may also exhibit a tendency to over-
comply with authority figures and to use aggression for
solving interpersonal issues. The social effects of child
physical abuse continue to negatively influence the
adult life of the abused child.
Adults, who were physically abused as children, suffer
from physical, emotional and social effects of the abuse
throughout their lives.
9. Cause Factors
LACK OF SUPPORT UNTREATED MENTAL
ILLNESS
LACK OF PARENTING
SKILLS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
HISTORY OF CHILD SUBSTANCE ABUSE
ABUSE
THE CHALLENGING
CHILD
http://www.livestrong.com/article/220612-the-causes-of-physical-child-abuse/
http://blackandbrownnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/ChildAbusedCrying.jpg
10. Lack of Support
Parents who are isolated, either
socially or geographically, lack
the social supports and
resources to help them cope
with the stress and frustration
of parenting. Social supports
provide emotional support or a
respite from parenting. Hitting
out of frustration can escalate
to more violent abuse.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/220612-the-causes-of-physical-child-abuse/
http://www.geronguide.com/gg/gcommon/img/support-circle-01.jpg
11. Lack of Parenting Skills
Some parents, whether because of
their youth or poor examples,
never learn good parenting skills.
They might have unrealistic ideas
of what parenting is like or what
children require for proper care.
They might become frustrated
and angry at feeling like a failure
at parenting or at the demands of
their children.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/220612-the-causes-of-physical-child-abuse/
http://www.cvesd.org/PARENTS/PublishingImages/j0422732.jpg
12. History of Child Abuse
Parents who were abused
as children can experience
overwhelming emotions
of sadness and anger once
they begin parenting.
They might fear loss of
control or that their anger
will lead to physical abuse
of their child.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/220612-the-causes-of-physical-child-abuse/
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_PV9eNHSo7JY/TPMbXiKuSOI/AAAAAAAAA1M/MIrm6Nk5efo/s1600/ChildAbuse.jpg
13. The Challenging Child
While physical child abuse is not caused by
children, parents who are raising children
with challenges sometimes experience
anger, frustration and loneliness. The child
might have behavioral or mental health
problems, or he might have a physical
disability. Some parents are ill-equipped to
handle these types of problems.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/220612-the-causes-of-physical-child-abuse/
14. Untreated Mental Illness
Untreated mental illness can lead to
uncontrolled anger and flashes of rage.
Parents who receive treatment are able
to exercise more self-control and
understand the impact of their behavior.
Mental illnesses such as
depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety
disorder or personality disorder can
cause parents to lose control and
physically abuse their children.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/220612-the-causes-of-physical-child-abuse/
http://www.healthyplace.com/blogs/recoveringfrommentalillness/files/2012/04/missing-puzzle-piece-shadow.jpg
15. Domestic Violence
Domestic violence involving
adults often evolves to include
abuse of children. In addition,
children who witness physical
abuse often abuse each other
in the same ways. And an adult
victim of abuse can take out
her anger, fear and frustration
on the children by physically
abusing them.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/220612-the-causes-of-physical-child-abuse/
http://youthoftodaymotive.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/domestic-violence-against-women.jpg
16. Substance Abuse
Parents who abuse alcohol or drugs can
lose control of harmful impulses and are
more likely to abuse children out of
anger or frustration. Operating a
methamphetamine lab is considered
physical child abuse because the
environment is toxic for children.
http://www.livestrong.com/article/220612-the-causes-of-physical-child-abuse/
