April is Child Abuse Prevention Month...

It's one month focused on raising awareness of child abuse and how we as adults can prevent it. It's a difficult subject, one which no one likes to talk about, but if it is not acknowledge then it will never stop. When I look at my own daughter, now nearly 5 years old, I cannot imagine her ever having the misfortune of being touched by this terrible monster. Yet, there are so many children out there in the world who have to deal with the stress and terror of abuse every day. Children who exist in a house that is not a safe place to fall, but a place of neglect, anger, pain, contention and anxiety.
One of the first steps is becoming aware, knowing what to look for. Sometimes it isn't easy to tell, because children don't want you to know. Some signs to watch for are:

Some general signs are present in children who seem:
Nervous around adults or afraid of certain adults
Reluctant to go home (coming to school early or staying late, for example)
Very passive and withdrawn - or aggressive and disruptive
Tired a lot or complaining of nightmares or not sleeping well
Fearful and anxious.
Abused children may also show sudden changes in behavior or school performance
Some signs of physical abuse:
Unexplained burns, bruises, black eyes and other injuries
Apparent fear of a parent or caretaker
Faded bruises of healing injuries after missing school
Some signs of sexual abuse:
Difficulty walking or sitting, or other indications of injury in the genital area
Sexual knowledge or behavior beyond what is normal for the child's age
Running away from home
Some signs of emotional abuse:
Acting overly mature or immature for the child's age
Extreme changes in behavior
Delays in physical or emotional development
Attempted suicide
Lack of emotional attachment to the parent
Some signs of neglect:
Missing school a lot
Begging for or stealing money or food
Lacking needed medical or dental care
Being frequently dirty
Using alcohol or other drugs
Saying there is no one at home to take care of him or her

These signs don't prove that a child is being abused. But they could be a signal that the child and his or her family need help.

Also, know the signs of an abusive adult. Consider the possibility of abuse if a parent or caretaker:
Seems unconcerned about the child's welfare at school or at home
Denies problems at school or at home - or blames the child for them
Sees the child as worthless or as a burden
Avoids discussing the child's injuries or gives conflicting explanations for them
Abuses alcohol or other drugs
Seems isolated from other parents and school, and community activities
Uses harsh physical discipline or asks other caretakers to use it
Depends on the child for emotional support
Seems indifferent to the child
Seems secretive or tries to isolate the children from other children.
Frequently blames, belittles or insults the child

These signs don't prove that an adult is an abuser. But they could be a signal that the adult and his or her family need help.
Adapted from Prevent Child Abuse America resources
http://www.childrenmatternetwork.org/en/resources/warning_signs.htm