What’s Abuse?
Spotting the signs of child abuse and neglect
To spot the signs of child abuse or neglect, look for changes in:
-
- Appearance – such as frequent unexplained injuries, consistently poor hygiene, matted hair, unexplained gifts, or a parent regularly collecting children from school when drunk
-
- Behaviour – such as demanding or aggressive behaviour, frequent lateness or absence from school, avoiding their own family, misusing drugs or alcohol, or being constantly tired
-
- Communication – such as sexual or aggressive language, self-harming, becoming secretive and reluctant to share information or being overly obedient