Signs of Abuse in a Child

Knowing their child is safe is of the utmost importance for any parent. However, you cannot always be around them. Even if the law safeguards children from mistreatment and abuse in schools perpetuated by teachers, school staff, and coaches, among others, abuse can still happen. The problem is that, sometimes, signs of abuse in a child can be hard to spot, and kids may not understand that they are being mistreated in the first place.

Nevertheless, if you suspect that your child has been or is being abused in school, you should consider consulting with a Marion, SC, child abuse lawyer to determine the best options moving forward. Although not all the following signs can determine whether your child is experiencing abuse at school, they can still be helpful in telling if there’s cause for concern.

Signs of Emotional Abuse in Children

Some physical signs that might indicate emotional abuse at school are:

• Recurring psychosomatic symptoms like nausea, tiredness, stomach pain, and headaches, among others
• Behind in reaching development milestones
• Persistent diarrhea or vomiting with no clear cause
• Bedwetting or soiling with no clear cause

Some signs of emotional abuse that can also manifest in a child’s behavior are:

• Depression, anxiety, or aggression
• Withdrawal from normal daily activities
• Either being overly self-conscious or wanting to seek attention
• Being too obedient or submissive
• Developmental gaps
• Mirroring abusive behavior
• Poor self-esteem or self-confidence
• Self-destructive tendencies

Signs of Physical Abuse in Children

Several signs that indicate physical abuse in school are:

• Bruises, welts, or abrasions with no clear cause
• Injuries such as sprains with no obvious cause
• Scars with no clear cause

Some signs of physical abuse that can also manifest in a child’s behavior are:

• Using unusual clothes to cover up visible injuries
• Being cautious of a particular individual in school
• May either be too aggressive or too inhibited
• Easily startled by sudden movements or touch
• Displaying violent behavior towards peers or pets
• Cannot give an explanation for an injury
• Hesitance or aversion to going to school

Signs of Sexual Abuse in Children

Physical signs can sometimes indicate that a child is being sexually abused in school. Some of these include:

• Stained, bloodied, or ripped undergarments
• Blood in urine or stools
• Inflammation in the genital, anal, or throat area
• Severe pain or itching in the genital, anal, or throat area
• Being diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease (STD)

There are also behavioral warning signs that may point to sexual abuse in children, such as the following:

• Being averse to certain places
• Remarks expressing dislike for an adult in school
• Sexual knowledge that is strange or uncommon
• Engaging in inappropriate sexual play with toys, self, or others.

Consult With Our Experienced Marion, SC, Child Abuse Lawyer Today

It is unfortunate and heartbreaking to discover that your child was abused at school in any way while they are supposed to be nurtured and cared for by people who have a duty of care to protect them. Whether the abuse happened at the hands of a teacher, coach, maintenance crew, clergyperson, or any school employee, you have the legal right to demand justice and seek maximum compensation for your child.

At The Law Office of Brad C. Richardson, LLC, our Marion, SC, child abuse lawyer is a skilled litigator who can effectively pursue all legal and monetary remedies to uphold your child’s legal rights. For a free consultation with our Marion, SC, child abuse lawyer, contact us online or call 843-488-4321.