Four Types of Abuse

Neglect

The leaving of a child in a situation where the child would be exposed to a substantial risk of physical or mental harm, without arranging for necessary care for the child, and the demonstration of an intent not to return by a parent or guardian of the child. Definition taken from Texas State Family Code, Section 261.001.

• Left unattended or in the care of other children who are too young to protect them; wandering the neighborhood
• Dressed inappropriately for the weather
• Consistently dirty, unkempt, or have body odor
• Lacking medical care, including medications and immunizations
• Frequently absent from school or not enrolled in school
• Begging, stealing, or rummaging for food
• Malnourished or underweight
• Living in unsanitary or unsafe housing conditions

Emotional Abuse

Mental or emotional injury to a child, causing or permitting the child to be in a situation in which the child sustains a mental or emotional injury that results in an observable and material impairment in the child’s growth, development, or psychological functioning. Definition taken from Texas State Family Code, Section 261.001.

• Low self-esteem
• Anxiety and irrational fears
• Poor peer relations
• Withdrawal
• Defiance
• Reckless or destructive behaviors
• Bedwetting

Physical Abuse

Physical injury that results in substantial harm to the child, or the genuine threat of substantial harm from physical injury to the child, including an injury that is at variance with the history or explanation given and excluding an accident or reasonable discipline by a parent, guardian or anyone that does not expose the child to a substantial risk of harm. Additionally, it includes failure to make a reasonable effort to prevent an action by another person that results in physical injury that results in substantial harm to the child. Definition taken from Texas State Family Code, Section 261.001.

• Injuries that are unexplained and/or when the child or parent cannot adequately explain injury (inflicted vs. afflicted)
• Unusual pattern of burns or bruises with instrument demarcation
• Lack of or no treatment for injuries
• No reaction to pain or complaints of pain without obvious injury
• Fear of being alone with adult or going home or seeing parents/guardian
• Withdrawn, passive, disruptive, aggressive and destructive o self-destructive behavior
• Injuries that appear after the child has not been seen for several days
• Injuries on abdomen, face, genitalia, side of body, back of hands
• Complaints of soreness or discomfort when moving

Sexual Abuse

Sexual conduct harmful to a child’s mental, emotional, or physical welfare, including conduct that constitutes the offense of sexual assault, indecency with a child, or aggravated sexual assault; failure to make a reasonable effort to prevent sexual conduct harmful to a child; compelling or encouraging the child to engage in sexual conduct; child pornography, trafficking or prostitution; causing, permitting, encouraging, engaging in or allowing the photographing, filming, or depicting of the photograph, film, or depiction of the child is obscene or pornographic. Definition taken from Texas State Family Code, Section 261.001.

• Pain or itching in genital area
• Bruises or bleeding in undergarment
• Difficulty sitting or walking
• Sexually transmitted diseases child young in age
• Pregnancy in early adolescence
• Promiscuous or seductive inappropriate behavior
• Touching peers inappropriately
• Depression or suicidal thoughts
• Excessive knowledge/curiosity about sex
• Excessive bathing/cleansing