Overview Of Child Abuse Indicators

As a multi-cultural society, educators must keep in mind the diversity of backgrounds, culture and experiences of the children in our care. Culture may inform social roles and interactions, attitudes to punishment and learning. Young children may not have the verbal skills to articulate adequately their home environment or the behaviours occurring within. It may be through art or play activities that children disclose abuse within the family home.

The child with disabilities may face a similar situation either through lack of verbal, cognitive or physical ability. There may be a need for an interpreter of the appropriate language, or, for the child who has an expressive dysphasia or aphasia, or hearing impaired, an Auslan interpreter may be necessary.

For the child with limited speech, their patterns of behaviour may need to be observed for signs of abuse – unexplained bruising, abrasions or flinching behaviours for example. The complex cognitively or physically disabled child may demonstrate withdrawal or aggressive behaviours towards certain staff or family members. This may be a potential indicator of abuse. Of course, behaviour needs to be observed in a holistic context to ensure the dignity of the child and family is upheld.

Gender may have implications for access to opportunities for education in some cultures. Girls especially may be excluded from the school environment. Australia is a signatory to the UNHRC convention on the rights of children. All children in Australia have the right to education, safety and protection from harm regardless of gender, age, culture, race or disability. Cultural beliefs may inform custom but are no excuse for the occurrence of criminal behaviour. Fairness, justice and equity are basic tenets to the rights of all children.

Children may be stigmatised for (perceived) sexual orientation in both the home and school environment. This may be as simple as gender bias but may include gender diversity. It is essential teachers are aware of behaviours to help support gender diverse children and improve their awareness and understanding. (Headspace is an excellent place to start). Supportive behaviours include respecting gender diversity/identity and maintaining privacy. The gender diverse child is at a greater risk of self-harm if exposed to negative bias, bullying or harassment.

Physical abuse may result in both physical and behavioural indicators. Unexplained physical injury or intentional physical harm which may include: scratches, abrasions, bruising, swelling and tenderness, fractures including healed fractures and internal injuries. Behavioural effects of physical abuse may include fear of parents or of going home, fear of adults, wearing long clothes to cover physical injuries, improbable excuses for injuries, fear when other children make noise, or timid behaviour which may eventually escalate to aggression, flinching when adults come into close contact or stand near the child.

Emotional abuse may manifest in overly compliant, obedient behaviour, withdrawn with a flat affect, low self-esteem, nocturnal enuresis, behaving younger than their age, difficulty making friends or avoidance of interacting with other children, delayed emotional, intellectual or physical development, angry and aggressive or demanding behaviour.