Child Abuse

Warning Signs of Daycare Abuse

Listen to your kids and take them seriously if they tell you something about daycare that makes them uncomfortable. Some children can't or do not want to talk about these things, but there are other cues to watch for that could indicate a problem at daycare.

• Things to look for that could indicate daycare abuse:
• Changes in behaviour or extreme mood swings.
• Changes in bed-wetting, nightmares, fear of going to bed, or other sleep disturbances.
• Acting out inappropriate sexual activity or showing an unusual interest in sexual matters.
• Sudden acting out of feelings, or aggressive or rebellious behaviour.
• Regression to infantile behaviour or clinging.
• School problems, behaviour problems.
• Changes in toilet-training habits.
• Fear of certain places, people, or activities; an excessive fear of going to the day care facility.

Physical Abuse in Daycares

Physical Indicators:

• Unexplained bruises and welts on the face, throat, upper arms, buttocks, thighs or lower back in unusual patterns or shapes which suggests the use of an instrument (belt buckle, electric cord) on an infant in various stages of healing that are seen after absences, weekends, or vacations.
• Unexplained burns, cigarette burns, especially burns found on palms, soles of feet, abdomen, buttocks; immersion burns producing "stocking" or "glove" marks on hands and feet; "doughnut shaped" on buttocks or genital area.
• Rope burns.
• Infected burns indicating delay in treatment; burns in the shape of common household utensils or appliances.

Behavioral Indicators:

• Behavioural extremes (withdrawal, aggression, regression, depression).
• Inappropriate or excessive fear of parent or caretaker.
• Antisocial behaviour such as substance abuse, truancy, running away, fear of going home.
• Unbelievable or inconsistent explanation for injuries.
• Lies unusually still while surveying surroundings (for infants).
• Unusual shyness, wariness of physical contact.

Sexual Abuse in Daycares

Physical Indicators:

• Torn, stained or bloody underclothes.
• Frequent, unexplained sore throats, yeast or urinary infections.
• Somatic complaints, including pain and irritation of the genitals.
• Sexually transmitted diseases.
• Bruises or bleeding from external genitalia, vagina or anal region.
• Pregnancy.

Behavioural Indicators:

• The victim's disclosure of sexual abuse.
• Regressive behaviours (thumb-sucking, bedwetting, fear of the dark).
• Promiscuity or seductive behaviours.
• Disturbed sleep patterns (recurrent nightmares).
• Unusual and age-inappropriate interest in sexual matters.
• Avoidance of undressing or wearing extra layers of clothes.
• Sudden decline in school performance, truancy.
• Difficulty in walking or sitting.

Mental or Emotional Abuse at Daycare

Physical Indicators:

• Eating disorders, including obesity or anorexia.
• Speech disorders (stuttering, stammering).
• Developmental delays in the acquisition of speech or motor skills.
• Weight or height level substantially below norm.
• Flat or bald spots on head (infants).
• Nervous disorders (rashes, hives, facial tics, stomach aches).

Behavioral Indicators:

• Habit disorders (biting, rocking, head-banging).
• Cruel behaviour, seeming to get pleasure from hurting children, adults or animals; seeming to get pleasure from being mistreated.
• Age-inappropriate behaviours (bedwetting, wetting, soiling).
• Behavioural extremes, such as overly compliant-demanding; withdrawn-aggressive; listless-excitable.

Article from: Daycareabuse.com