Handout

Indicators of Physical Abuse

Physical Indicators

• Questionable bruises and welts, or other injuries
  • On the face, lips, mouth
  • On the torso, back, buttocks, thighs
  • In various stages of healing
  • Clustered: forming regular patterns
  • Reflecting the shape of the article (electric cord, belt buckle) used to inflict the injury
  • On several different body surface areas
  • Regularly appearing after an absence, weekend, or vacation
  • That are consistent with human bite marks
• Questionable burns
  • Cigar or cigarette burns, especially on soles, palms, back, or buttocks
  • Immersion burns (sock-like, glove-like burns on feet or hands, or doughnut-shaped burns on buttocks or genitalia)
  • Patterned like electric stove burner, iron, etc.
  • Rope burns on arms, legs, neck, or torso
• Questionable fractures
  • To the skull, nose, facial structure
  • In various stages of healing
  • Such as multiple or spiral (twisting) fractures
• Questionable lacerations or abrasions
  • To the mouth, lips, gums, eyes
  • To external genitalia

Behavioral Indicators

• Being uncomfortable with physical contact
• Being wary of adult contact
• Being apprehensive when other children cry
• Showing behavioral extremes–aggression or withdrawal
• Being frightened of parents
• Being afraid to go home
• Arriving at school early or staying late, as if afraid to be at home
• Reporting injury by a parent
• Complaining of soreness or moving uncomfortably
• Wearing clothing inappropriate to the weather to cover the body
• Chronically running away from home (adolescents)
• Being reluctant to change clothes for gym activities (attempt to hide injuries, bruises, etc.)