Click on the links below to
learn even more!
Recognizing a child in trouble and in need of protection often goes beyond words.  Child abuse and neglect
(especially sexual abuse) if often well hidden.  A simple investigation can be initiated without any concrete
evidence.  This is where the saying "Better safe than sorry" comes in to play.  It is better to report suspected
abuse that is then proven not to exist than to say nothing and continue to let a child be harmed or even killed.  
Please help protect a child by calling Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 or the Childhelp National Child
Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453).  Please leave as much information about the suspected
victim or abuser as you can (name, address, contact information) or authorities may not be able to help!

Some possible signs of child abuse and neglect are:

  • Unexplained injuries. Visible signs of physical abuse may include unexplained burns or bruises in the
    shape of objects. You may also hear unconvincing explanations of a child's injuries.
  • Changes in behavior. Abuse can lead to many changes in a child's behavior. Abused children often
    appear scared, anxious, depressed, withdrawn or more aggressive.
  • Returning to earlier behaviors. Abused children may display behaviors shown at earlier ages, such as
    thumb-sucking, bed-wetting, fear of the dark or strangers. For some children, even loss of acquired
    language or memory problems may be an issue.
  • Fear of going home. Abused children may express apprehension or anxiety about leaving school or
    about going places with the person who is abusing them, especially those children who are being sexually
    abused by a relative, such as an uncle, grandpa, or aunt.
  • Changes in eating. The stress, fear and anxiety caused by abuse can lead to changes in a child's eating
    behaviors, which may result in weight gain or weight loss.
  • Changes in sleeping. Abused children may have frequent nightmares or have difficulty falling asleep,
    and as a result may appear tired or fatigued.
  • Changes in school performance and attendance. Abused children may have difficulty concentrating in
    school or have excessive absences, sometimes due to adults trying to hide the children's injuries from
    authorities.
  • Lack of personal care or hygiene. Abused and neglected children may appear uncared for. They may
    present as consistently dirty and have severe body odor, or they may lack sufficient clothing for the
    weather.
  • Risk-taking behaviors. Young people who are being abused may engage in high-risk activities such as
    using drugs or alcohol or carrying a weapon.
  • Inappropriate sexual behaviors. Children who have been sexually abused may exhibit overly sexualized
    behavior or use explicit sexual language.

Other helpful links to more resources:
"Protecting Our Children,
Preserving Our Future"
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Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect
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El Paso, TX 79930

P: 915-562-7955
F: 915-562-2524
anevarez@childcrisiselp.org
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