RECOGNIZING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT:

NEGLECT is failure to provide for a child’s basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, medical care, education and proper supervision.

• The child shows signs of malnutrition or begs, steals or hoards food.
• The child has poor hygiene: matted hair, dirty skin, or severe body odor.
• The child has unattended physical or medical problems.
• The child states that no one is home to provide care.
• The child or caregiver abuses drugs or alcohol.

PHYSICAL ABUSE is intentional injury inflicted upon a child. It may include severe shaking, beating, kicking, punching, or burning resulting in minor marks, bruising or even death.

• The child has broken bones or unexplained bruises, burns or welts in stages of healing.
• The child is unable to explain an injury or explanations are inconsistent with the injury.
• The child is unusually frightened of a parent or caretaker, or is afraid to go home.
• The child reports intentional injury by parent or caretaker.

SEXUAL ABUSE refers to any sexual act with a child by an adult or older child. It includes using the child for prostitution or the production of pornographic materials.

• The child has pain or bleeding in an anal or genital area with redness or swelling.
• The child displays age-inappropriate play with toys, self, or others.
• The child has inappropriate knowledge about sex.
• The child reports sexual abuse.

EMOTIONAL ABUSE may occur when a parent fails to provide the understanding, warmth, attention and supervision the child needs for healthy psychological growth.

• The parent or caregiver constantly criticizes, threatens, belittles, insults, or rejects the child with no evidence of love, support or guidance.
• The child exhibits extreme in behavior from overly aggressive to overly passive.
• The child displays delayed physical, emotional, or intellectual development.

 

Psychological Services of St. Augustine, Inc.

Main Office: 1100-1 South Ponce de Leon Boulevard, St. Augustine, Florida 32084
Phone (904) 824-7733 Fax (904) 829-9768

Southlake Office: 300 Kingsley Lake Dr, Suite 403 St Augustine, FL 32092

pssa@pssacare.com