Child Abuse

Child Abuse

Most child abuse occurs in the home and can come from parents, siblings, other family members, or frequent visitors. Child abuse can also occur in other locations, such as at school, in churches, or in social or other kinds of activities, and from others involved in a child’s life.

Child abuse includes:

  • Physical abuse, such as physical injury, beatings, burns, or bites
  • Emotional abuse, such as constant criticism, insults, or withholding love
  • Sexual abuse, such as rape, genital fondling, or incest
  • Neglect, such as failure to provide food, clothing, shelter, medical care, safety, or supervision

Shaken Baby Syndrome

Shaken Baby Syndrome is a form of child abuse that can cause serious health consequences in infants, including death. This syndrome happens when a parent or caregiver shakes an infant, causing damage to the central nervous system. For more information on Shaken Baby Syndrome, visit www.dontshake.com.

There are signs for each of the different types of abuse. If your child shows some of these signs of abuse, it does not necessarily mean they are being abused. However, if a sign occurs over and over again or in combination with other signs, then it is possible your child is being abused in some way.

Typical Signs of Physical Abuse Include
  • Being nervous around adults
  • Being watchful, as if preparing for something bad to happen
  • Having difficulty playing
  • Acting aggressive toward other children, adults, or objects
  • Having difficulty concentrating at school
  • Suddenly underachieving or overachieving at school
  • Having difficulty trusting others and making friends
  • Arriving at school too early or leaving late
Typical Signs of Sexual Abuse Include
  • Behaving differently when the abuse starts
  • Caring less about appearance or overall health
  • Talking in a sexual manner or acting sexually at too early of an age
  • Becoming secretive and not talking about life at home
  • Not making it to the bathroom in time or having accidents
  • Being unable to sleep
  • Suddenly finding physical contact frightening
  • Attempting to run away from home
Typical Signs of Emotional Abuse or Neglect
  • Having difficulty using their imagination when playing
  • Having a hard time developing close relationships
  • Having difficulty learning to talk
  • Being overly friendly with strangers
  • Underachieving at school
  • Having low self-esteem

If you suspect that a child is being abused, call the Rhode Island Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) at 800-742-4453 (800-RI CHILD).

Bradley Hospital