Characteristics of
Abused Children
Under 2
Years of age
-
Respond to loud stimuli with increased
fear (crying)
-
Developmental delays (slower to walk,
crawl, talk, etc.)
-
Nightmares
2-5
Years
-
Regressive behavior (lose toileting
skills, baby talk, more clingy, revert to using a bottle)
-
Nightmares
-
Acting out domestic violence by
hitting playmates, siblings, or parents
-
Increased sibling violence
-
Cruelty to animals
-
Developmental delays (slower to learn
ABC’s, read, etc.)
-
Decreased playfulness and spontaneity
-
Feel responsible for the violence
-
Increased dependency on primary care
giver
6-12
Years
-
Increased problems at school
-
Getting into trouble (lying, stealing,
cheating, etc.)
-
Often viewed by others by having
attention problems or learning disabilities
-
May withdraw and become reclusive
-
May take on role of “family hero” or
caretaker
-
Increased anger directed at victim of
violence (it is unsafe to direct anger at the abuser)
-
Develop inflated sense of
responsibility
-
Learn to disrespect the victim of
violence (learn that people hit those they love)
-
Develop emotional problems such as
depression
13-18 Years
-
Aggressive behavior (violence
serves to control others and solve problems
-
Severe behavior and emotional problems
(running away, theft, depression, anxiety)
-
Develop rigid sex roles
-
Increased incidents of dating violence
-
Self-destructive behavior (eating
disorder, drugs, alcohol)
-
Increased risk for early marriages
and/or teen pregnancy (often as an escape from the parents)
-
Increased risk for suicide and
homicide
-
Develop poor boundary systems (either
too rigid or too weak)
-
Develop a distrust for most authority
figures (or all adults)
For more information
please contact
Someplace Safe, Inc. at
(330) 393-3003
or Children Who Witness Violence at
(330) 393-3151 |
