90% of Prisoners Say They Were Abused as a Child

School systems across the nation every year give classes to teachers to increase awareness of the signs of child abuse due to the fact that educators are the largest group of mandated representatives. Although educators like myself, do our best to report suspicions, experts say most child abuse goes unreported and normally doesn’t come to surface until there has been repeat offenses or until children become adults.

We have all heard the saying “hurt people hurt people"-- 90% of adult prisoners report being abused as a child. Eight out of 10 of these abusers are a parent or relative causing each year one million children to be victims of child abuse in the United States. People don’t plan on abusing children, but as evidence shows, it relentlessly happens.

I have considered myself an official reporter as if I were on neighborhood watch. Let’s all consider ourselves reporters to give all children a better chance at having a successful life, after all they are depending on us. Wouldn’t we have wanted adults to do the same for us when we were children? One who fails to acknowledge child abuse, fails a child and his future. Here are some indicators of possible child abuse to be on the lookout for:

Physical Abuse: Unexplained bruises, welts, burns, fractures/dislocations, bald patches on the scalp

Physical Indicators of Physical Abuse: bruises on face, lip, mouth, torso, back, buttocks, thighs-various stages of healing—imprint of objects, iron, belt, electrical cord, cigarette burns, especially on soles of feet, palms, back, or buttocks—Immersion burns (covering feet like socks or gloves).
Behavioral Indicators of Physical Abuse: feels deserving of punishment, wary of adult contact, frightened of parents, self-destructive behavior, withdrawn or aggressive, uncomfortable with physical contact, complains of soreness, wears clothing inappropriate for weather to cover body.

Neglect:  Lack of adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical care, education, supervision, or birth addicted drug exposure

Physical Indicators of Neglect: Consistent hunger, poor hygiene, inappropriate dress, consist lack of supervision, unattended physical problems or medical needs, underweight, poor growth patterns, failure to thrive, lice, distended stomach, emaciated look.  
Behavioral Indicators of Neglect: self-destructive behaviors, begging, stealing food, extended stays, constant fatigue, listlessness, assuming adult responsibilities and concerns, states there is no caretaker in the home.

Sexual Abuse: Touching Offenses, Rape, Fondling, Sodomy. Non-touching offenses: Child prostitution, indecent exposure and exhibitionism, utilizing the internet as a vehicle for exploitation.

Physical Indicators of Sexual Abuse:  Difficulty walking or sitting, torn, stained or bloody underclothing, pain, swelling or itching in the genital area, pain on urination, bruises, bleeding, or laceration in external genitalia area, presence of sexually transmitted disease, frequent urinary or yeast infections.
Behavioral Indicators of Sexual Abuse: Inappropriate sex play or advanced sexual knowledge and promiscuity, hysteria, lack of emotional control, sudden school difficulties, withdrawal or depression, excessive worrying about siblings, difficult peer relationships, resists involvement with peers, self-imposed social isolation, avoidance of physical contact of closeness, sudden massive weight change.

Emotional Abuse: placing unreasonable demands on a child to perform above his or her capabilities- frequently occurs as verbal abuse, rejection, terrorizing, shameful forms of punishment, withholding physical and emotion contact, developmental inappropriate expectations.

Physical Indicators of Emotional Abuse: speech or other communicative disorder, delayed physical development, exacerbation of existing conditions such as asthma or allergies, substance abuse.
Behavioral Indicators of Emotional Abuse: Habit disorders (sucking, rocking), Antisocial or destructive behaviors including delinquency, neurotic traits (sleep disorders inhibition to play) Behavioral extremes (passivity or aggression) Developmental delays

This article was adapted in part from Broadhurst, D.D.:Edmunds, M.: and MacDicken, RA.A. Early Childhood Programs and Prevention Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect, the User Manual Series, Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, 1979