With the recent events surrounding child abuse victims and their family and friends, it becomes important to learn how to recognize if someone you know is being abused or may in fact be abusing a child.

The issue of child abuse is large and increasing. 1,500 children die from abuse and 140,000 children are injured from abuse each year. When evaluating the presence of child abuse, it is important to recognize that a single sign of abuse does not prove that child abuse is occurring within the family; however, when the signs begin to occur repeatedly or in combination you should take a closer look at the situation.

One of the first signs of child abuse is noticing any possibility of physical abuse. This can be burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes. Sometimes these abuse markings have defined lines as if they were implicated by belts, cigarettes, or any other intentional means. If there is a presence of various stages of bruises, there is a possibility of abuse. Children may also begin to show sudden changes in behavior, become withdrawn, compliant or passive, avoid eye contact, and may be sensitive to loud noise.

Physically abusive parents show little concern for their children, ask teachers to use physical discipline on their children, and may deny any problems. Abusive parents may rarely touch their children or even look at them.

Neglect is another form of abuse. It is important to recognize signs of neglect because they may be in combination with physical abuse in most cases. A neglected child is frequently absent from school, may be unkempt, inappropriately dressed for the weather, begs or steals, and appears to be malnourished. A parent who neglects their child may also be abusing drugs or alcohol and more than likely appears to be depressed or withdrawn as well.