Indications are one out of every 30 children in America are currently being abused.
Updated Florida Statutes: Any person who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a child is abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent, legal custodian, caregiver or other person’s welfare shall report immediately such knowledge or suspicion to the central abuse hotline of the Department of Children and Families.
Signs of Child Abuse
Physical Abuse
- Bruises
- Welts
- Bite marks
- Burns (under clothes/back of legs, feet)
- Abrasions
Physical Neglect
- Unattended medical needs
- Exhaustion
- Lack of supervision
- Consistent hunger
- Poor hygiene
- Emaciated appearance
Sexual Abuse
- Verbal cues from the child
- Inappropriate sexualized behavior
- Pain in genital area
- There are usually no physical symptoms as child sexual abuse is an ongoing process with someone the child knows.
Emotional Abuse
- Development delays
- Anti-social behavior
- Destructive behavior
- Extreme passive or aggressive behavior
Common Findings in Parents of Abused Children
- Do not volunteer explanation for child’s injury
- Contradictory explanations for child’s injury
- Evasive answers to questions
- Anger directed at child for being injured
- Little concern for child/decreased touching and/or eye contact
- Inappropriate response to child crying
- Overprotective/does not allow adult to question child alone
Florida Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-96-ABUSE