Child abuse symptoms, indicators and impact

Emotional abuse

You might not see it but...

IT HURTS!

Indicators of emotional abuse

• Physical• Behavioral• Adult behavior

towards abused child

Physical signs and symptoms

• Bed-wetting or bed soiling • Unattended medical needs • Frequent complaints of

headaches, nausea, abdominal pains

• Dirty, worn out clothes

• Has deprived physical living

conditions

Behavioral signs and symptoms

• Severe developmental gaps • Depression, anxiety• Withdrawal or aggression • Overly compliant • Attention seeking behaviors • Extreme inhibition in play

Adult behavior • Verbal humiliation• Calls the child names• Continually yells at the child • Threatens the child • Has unrealistic expectations of

the child • Exploits the child• Ignores or fails to protect the

child

Impact of emotional abuse

Emotional problems• low self esteem• depression and withdrawal• lack of empathy

Behavioral problems• difficulties with relationships• poor social skills

Impact of emotional abuse Cont…

Intellectual and cognitive delays• delays in school • poor self help skills

Physical development delays• child fails to thrive• medical problems

References• www.slideshare.net• http://researchingreform.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/crying-

child.jpg• http://www.visualphotos.com/photo/2x3250224/child_crying_on_ste

ps_1793250.jpg• http://malecodependence.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/

rejected_child_crying.jpg• https://ssofdv.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/sad-bullied-girl1.jpg• http://z-photo.de/alte_version/image/child-abuse-neglect-central-

registry-765.jpg• http://jdstockholm.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/child-abuse-

awareness-october-6th.gif?w=545• http://happinessisnotadisease.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/crying-

child.jpg