As a father of three—a 10-year-old daughter, an 8-year-old daughter, and a 4-year-old son—I know how much we, as parents, want to protect and nurture our children. But parenting isn’t just about looking after our own kids—it’s about looking out for all children.
One morning, I was volunteering at a local elementary school, opening doors for the students as they arrived. I noticed a young girl who always greeted me with a bright smile, but that day, something was different. Her head was down, her usual energy gone. As she walked past me, I noticed a bruise over her eye. My heart sank. I alerted a teacher, and later learned that the school carefully investigated these signs and discovered that a soccer ball had hit her in the face during recess. Fortunately, this was an accident, and there was no abuse involved. But that moment stuck with me. What if it had been more than a playground accident? What if no one had noticed? This is why staying alert matters. Abuse isn’t always obvious.
Child abuse is a serious and widespread issue, affecting millions of children worldwide (U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 2022). In the United States, it is estimated that 1 in 7 children experience child abuse or neglect each year (CDC, 2024). Furthermore, 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 20 boys experience sexual abuse by their 18th birthday (CDC, 2024). Addressing this crisis requires a collective commitment to prevention, education, and support to ensure every child grows up in a safe and nurturing environment.
Keep in mind that there may be many reasons for a child to display these signs, not all of them indicating abuse or neglect. If you see these signs in a child and you suspect abuse or neglect, always err on the side of safety, make a report, and allow the professionals to investigate.
12 Warning Signs of Child Abuse
Learn 12 warning signs so you can be on the front lines of confronting abuse, should a child in your life experience it. This resource is excerpted from Recognize the Signs of Child Abuse published on the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services website. Link to the website for more details.
Physical Abuse
Definition: Physical injury —ranging from minor bruises to fractures or even death —that results in substantial harm, or the threat of physical injury that could cause harm.
Signs:
- Frequent injuries, such as bruises, cuts, black eyes, or burns, without adequate explanation, or complaints of pain without obvious injury
- Extreme fear of going home or seeing parents
- Wearing clothing unreasonable for the weather that may hide injuries to arms or legs
Neglect
Definition: Failing to provide basic needs like food, shelter, medical care, excluding failure caused primarily by financial inability.
Signs:
- Obvious malnourishment, or stealing/begging for food
- Consistent lack of personal hygiene that poses a health risk
- Child unattended for long periods of time
Sexual Abuse
Definition: Any inappropriate sexual contact or exposure, including exploitation through prostitution or pornography.
Signs:
- Extreme fear of being alone with adults of a certain sex
- Sexual comments, behaviors, or play beyond what is considered age-appropriate behavior
- Knowledge of sexual relations beyond what is expected for a child’s age
- Sexual victimization of other children
Emotional Abuse
Definition: Deliberately causing mental or emotional pain that impairs a child’s wellbeing.
Signs:
- Caregiver who belittles the child, withholds love, and seems unconcerned about the child’s problems
- Significant changes to mood and behavior, such as withdrawal, aggression, over-compliance, depression, and anxiety
Reporting Suspected Abuse
If you notice one or more of these signs – do not ignore them. You don’t need proof—if something feels wrong, it’s better to report it and let professionals assess the situation.
Reports can be made by:
- Visiting the Texas Abuse Hotline Website or
- Calling 1-800-252-5400
Child abuse thrives in silence. Many children suffer alone because they don’t believe anyone will notice or help. But we can change that.
By staying alert, informed, and willing to act, we can protect the most vulnerable members of our community. If you suspect abuse, act now—because every child deserves a safe, loving, and supportive environment.
