Physical Abuse Indicators:

• Surface area injuries
• Non-accidental bruising patterns
• Loop or wrap around injuries
• Injuries in various stages of healing
• Complications from old injuries
• Imprint of instrument on skin
• Cigarette burns
• Shows signs of overall poor health

Sexual Abuse Physical Indicators:

• Headaches, stomach aches, and overall not feeling well
• Pain in anal or genital area
• Recurring vaginal or bladder infections
• Oral, genital, or anal bleeding
• Redness, swelling, itching, or trauma to the genital/anal area
• Pregnancy

Behavioral Indicators:

• Unable to explain injury or explanation inconsistent with injury
• Unusually fearful, non-spontaneous
• Overly eager to please adults
• Discomfort about undressing in front of peers
• Sudden change in behavior
• Fears/phobias, retreat to fantasy
• Disturbed sleeping patterns
• Changes in relationships to adults (avoidance or clinging)
• Problems in school
• Withdrawal from friends and family
• Running away
• Inappropriate & obsessive sexual awareness, promiscuity
• Compulsive masturbation
• Depression, low self-esteem, self-critical
• Appearance of retardation
• Child states an adult is bothering him or her
• Verbalization of sexual assault
• Discomfort or extreme sensitivity to physical contact
• Friends who are several years older
• Acquisition of unexplainable toys, money, or clothes
• Regression to more childish behavior
• Delinquent acts
• Suicidal gestures or attempts
• Plays parental role