Identifying child abuse and neglect

Some examples are:

• hitting, shaking, punching
• burning and scolding
• excessive physical punishment or discipline
• attempted suffocation
• shaking a baby.

Possible signs of physical abuse are:

• broken bones or unexplained bruises, burns, welts
• the child is unable to explain an injury or the explanation is vague
• dehydration or poisoning
• the child is unusually frightened of a parent or caregiver
• arms and legs are covered by clothing in warm weather
• when parents delay getting medical assistance for their child’s injury
• brain damage through shaking or hitting.

See also body piercing, tattooing and branding.

It includes circumstances where the child has less power than another person involved, is exploited or where the child has been bribed, threatened, or coerced. It also includes situations where there is a significant difference between the developmental or maturity level of the child and another person involved. Some examples are:

• letting a child watch or read pornography
• allowing a child to watch sexual acts
• fondling the child’s genitals
• having oral sex with a child
• vaginal or anal penetration
• using the internet to find a child for sexual exploitation.

Possible signs of sexual abuse include when a child:

• acts in a sexualised way that is inappropriate to his/her age
• creates stories, poems or artwork about abuse
• has pain, bleeding or swelling in his/her genital area
• starts doing things they have grown out of such as crying a lot, bed wetting or soiling, clinging to caregiver
• has nightmares or sudden unexplained fears
• has a sexually transmitted infection or is pregnant.

In Western Australia it is mandatory for certain professionals to report a belief of child sexual abuse. For further details, refer to the Mandatory Reporting page.

Some examples are:

• constantly putting a child down
• humiliating or shaming a child
• not showing love, support or guidance
• continually ignoring or rejecting the child
• exposing the child to family and domestic violence
• threatening abuse or bullying a child
• threats to harm loved ones, property or pets.

Possible signs of emotional abuse include when a child:

• is very shy, fearful or afraid of doing something wrong
• displays extremes of behaviour for example from being very aggressive to very passive
• is not able to feel joy or happiness
• is often anxious or distressed
• feels worthless about life and themselves
• has delayed emotional development.

Neglect may be acute, episodic or chronic. Some examples are:

• leaving a child alone without appropriate supervision
• not ensuring the child attends school, or not enrolling the child at school
• infection because of poor hygiene or lack of medication
• not giving a child affection or emotional support
• not getting medical help when required.

Signs of neglect in children include:

• untreated sores, severe nappy rash
• bad body odour, matted hair, dirty skin
• being involved in serious accidents
• being hungry and stealing food
• often being tired, late for school or not attending school
• feeling bad about themselves
• when a baby does not meet physical and development milestones without there being underlying medical reasons.