It may be that you can sense things are not quite right. Maybe you’ve seen or heard something that worries you. The child may have unexplained injuries or is behaving in a way that is concerning. Talk to the child or young person to see if they are ok and actively listen to what they’re saying.
We understand that this may lead to difficult or uncomfortable conversations. Even if they don’t open up and tell you what’s going on, it’s much better to check than to assume nothing’s going on with them.
If they tell you that it’s nothing but you’re still concerned:
The physical and behavioural signs set out below suggest the possibility of child abuse, but do not necessarily prove it is happening. But they are reasons to be concerned, and you should take steps to check on the wellbeing of the child or young person.
Behavioural signs
The child or young person:
Physical signs
The child or young person:
has unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, abrasions, burns, broken bones and fractures
has bruising, lacerations, redness, swelling, bleeding or itching and pain in their genital or anal areas
has frequent physical complaints or prolonged headaches, nausea, abdominal pains, vomiting or diarrhoea.
Physical and behavioural signs may be isolated or present as part of clusters, so it’s important to try and identify patterns of concern. The child or young person may also be trying to articulate abuse that’s happening, but not have the words or understanding to tell you. Remember to document what you are told, or what you notice and report these concerns.
Indicators of abusive adult behaviour
Identifying abusive behaviours in adults is also important. One or more of the indicators set out below does not necessarily prove abuse, however, they are reasons to be concerned and you should speak up, even if you are unsure. Signs to look out for include if a person:
is violent, aggressive, attempts to injure, or intimidates, bullies or harasses a child or young person
Trust your instincts
Even if you’re not sure a child or young person is being abused or harmed, trust what you see and trust your instincts. It’s normal to feel uncertain or underestimate how serious the situation is. It’s a difficult subject and can be hard to talk about or believe it’s happening.
Speak up, and don’t assume or hope someone else will. It might identify part of a larger pattern that shows a child or young person is being harmed or abused.
You may only be seeing a piece of the puzzle but speaking out may help others identify the full picture of harm or abuse. Something that may appear to be one-off or insignificant may show a much bigger issue when all the pieces are put together.