Bruises located on faces, ears, necks, buttocks, backs, chests, thighs, back of legs, and genitalia.Multiple bruises in various stages of healing.Unbelievable or inconsistent explanations of injuries.Physical indicators of physical abuse include: When physical abuse has occurred, indicators can be behavioral as well as physical. Physical abuse should be considered when the explanation does not fit the pattern or frequency of injury. Keep in mind that injuries occur accidentally when children play. Indicators of physical abuse do not, in and of themselves, prove that a child has been abused. Indicators can alert you to physical, sexual, and mental abuse or neglect. Nevertheless, learning to recognize high-risk situations and the signs and symptoms of abuse is an important skill for a mandated reporter. Children do not react the same way to similar circumstances and many abused children may not show any of the indications discussed below. Indicators must always be considered within the context of how a child behaves, how he or she looks, what you know about the child, and the child’s family situation and history. Often, however, your suspicion will rest on less obvious physical or behavioral indicators. Indicators of abuse can be obvious: for example, a child with the mark of a belt showing on his or her back or burns in the shape of an iron or cigarette tip gives clear support for reasonable cause to suspect child abuse. An indicator is an alert or warning that you need to give more attention to a situation.

Signs of sexual trauma in children