What are the effects of abuse on children?
• Isolation Doesn't invite other children over
• Aggressive/acting out behavior
• Withdrawn from adults as well as peers
• May be a "model child" due to extreme desire to achieve perfection
• May become involved with drugs or alcohol
• Runaway
• Mood swings
• Divulges little information about the family
• May make up stories (paint an unrealistically "pretty picture" of their family)
• Loses respect for the mother, father or perpetrator
• Poor concentration
• Sudden change in school performance
• Take responsibility for the abuse
• Constant anxiety that another beating will occur
• Guilt for not being able to stop the abuse or from loving the abuser
• Fear of abandonment
• Fear of God and blaming God for abuse

More Warning signs of abuse
• A change in a child's behavior or school performance
• The child seems guarded and startles easily
• The child loiters at school or friends' houses; seems reluctant to go home

Signs That a Friend Is Being Abused
• unexplained bruises, broken bones, sprains, or marks
• excessive guilt or shame for no apparent reason
• secrecy or withdrawal from friends and family
• avoidance of school or social events with excuses that don't seem to make any sense

The following wheel describes the care and nurture that children need from parents and guardians and family members: 


• If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, the Dept. of Child and Family Services at (800) 252-2873 in Illinois or the Child Protective Services in your state.
• Each State has jurisdiction over these matters, and has specific laws and procedures for reporting and investigating.
• In some States, all citizens are mandated reporters by State law and must report any suspicion of child abuse or neglect.
• Childhelp® USA National Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-4-A-CHILD®

Read the next article on Reporting Child Abuse