By VICKI DISORDA
BRANDON—Each year, the President of the United States issues a proclamation designating April as National Childhood Abuse Prevention Month. In order to raise awareness and recommit state resources to the pursuit of protecting children, many governors follow suit. On March 30th, Governor Phil Scott likewise signed a proclamation designating April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Vermont.
In the accompanying photo, in the center of town, are a National Child Abuse Prevention sign, along with traditional symbolic pinwheels associated with child abuse prevention. Also displayed is a blue Child Abuse Prevention Month flag. Blue is the color associated with Childhood Abuse Prevention.
Pinwheels, often blue in color, are thought to represent the playfulness, joy, and whimsy of childhood. The type of experience every child should have. Pinwheel gardens are planted at schools, businesses, and child-advocacy centers to serve as a reminder that we all play a role in preventing child abuse and neglect.
Confidence is key when it comes to keeping a child safe. Know what to look for.
The Signs of Physical Abuse:
- Has unexplained injuries, such as burns, bites, bruises, broken bones, or black eyes
- Has fading bruises or other noticeable marks after an absence from school
- Seems scared, anxious, depressed, withdrawn, or aggressive
- Shrinks at the approach of adults
- Shows changes in eating and sleeping habits
- Reports injury by a parent or another adult caregiver
- Abuses animals or pets
- Seems frightened of his or her parents and protests or cries when it is time to go home
While it’s important to know the signs of physical, mental, and emotional abuse, the following signs of general maltreatment can also help determine whether a child needs help.
General Maltreatment
Child:
• Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance (changes in grades
or attitude)
• Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents’
attention
• Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to
specific physical or psychological causes
• Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen (Also a
symptom of PTSD)
• Lacks adult supervision
• Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn
• Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go
home (And I might add, clings to other families/adults)
• Is reluctant to be around a particular person
• Discloses maltreatment
Parent:
• Denies the existence of — or blames the child for — the child’s problems in
school or at home
• Asks teachers or other caregivers to use harsh physical discipline if the child
misbehaves (Or speaks harshly to the child/uses inappropriate language)
• Sees the child as entirely bad, worthless, or burdensome
• Demands a level of physical or academic performance the child cannot
achieve (This can be a sign of abuse in any relationship)
• Looks primarily to the child for care, attention, and satisfaction of the parent’s
emotional needs
• Shows little concern for the child (Neglect)
Keep Your Eyes Open
Spotting signs of abuse means paying attention to other adults as well as children. Learn to recognize when an adult (or older child) doesn’t seem to understand what’s acceptable when it comes to:
Personal Space
- Makes others uncomfortable by ignoring social, emotional, or physical boundaries or limits.
- Refuses to let a child set any of their own limits. Uses teasing or belittling language to keep a child from setting a limit.
- Insists on hugging, touching, kissing, tickling, wrestling with, or holding a child even when the child does not want this physical contact or attention.
- Frequently walks in on children/teens in the bathroom.
Relationships with children
- Turns to a child for emotional or physical comfort by sharing personal or private information or activities, normally shared with adults.
- Has secret interactions with teens or children (e.g. games, sharing drugs, alcohol, or sexual material) or spends excessive time emailing, text messaging, or calling children or youth
- Insists on or manages to spend uninterrupted time alone with a child.
- Seems “too good to be true,” e.g., frequently baby sits different children for free; takes children on special outings alone; buys children gifts or gives them money for no apparent reason.
- Allows children or teens to consistently get away with inappropriate behaviors.
Sexual Conversation or Behavior
- Frequently points out sexual images or tells dirty or suggestive jokes with children present.
- Exposes a child to adult sexual interactions or images without apparent concern.
- Is overly interested in the sexuality of a particular child or teen (e.g., talks repeatedly about the child’s developing body or interferes with normal teen dating).
This might seem like a lot, but remember…
Child abuse and neglect are preventable.
