Checklist of Possible Indicators of Abuse and Neglect

Sexual Abuse: Behavioral Indicators
Excessive modesty
  •  Child very uncomfortable with nudity
  • Unwilling to change for gym class or participate in physical education class
  • Extreme fear of being touched
  • Unwilling to submit to physical examination
Behavioral
extremes
  •  Aggressive towards other children
  • Poor peer relationships
  • Overly passive and submissive (e.g., submits readily to genital examination during which most children would show reluctance or embarrassment)
  • General fearfulness
  • Manifestations of low self-esteem
Sexual behavior
more advanced
than normal
  •  Reports sexual experiences by caretaker
  • Has bizarre, sophisticated, or unusual knowledge of sexual behaviors
  • Tries to force other children to engage in sexual practices with them
  • Demonstrates seductive or promiscuous sexual behavior
  • Describes seeing pornographic movies or pictures
  • Engages in prostitution
Self-injurious
behavior
  •  Eating disorders
  • Cutting self (self-mutilation)
Delinquency or
truancy
  •  Chronic pattern of child from 6 – 16 years of age who is absent from school so often that the child will not pass the current grade
  • Criminal behavior (stealing)