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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

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Federal laws and policies outline and provide guidance to States on the permanency planning requirements for children and youth served by child welfare agencies. The following resources address Federal laws that affect the permanency process in child welfare.

Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) of 1978 (25 U.S.C. §§ 1901-63) (PDF - 216 KB)
Tribal Court Clearinghouse
Provides the text of ICWA, which protects the best interests and promotes the stability and security of Indian children and families.

Public Law 105-89 - Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997 (PDF - 213 KB)
U.S. Government Printing Office (1997)
Describes an act that promotes timely permanency planning and placement for children in foster care and the importance of children's safety and well-being during the permanency process.

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The following resources address Federal laws that affect the permanency process in child welfare.

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Child abuse and neglect are serious problems that can have lasting harmful effects on victims. CDC's goal is to stop child abuse and neglect from happening in the first place.

Child abuse and neglect are complex problems rooted in unhealthy relationships and environments. Preventing child abuse and neglect requires addressing risk and protective factors at the individual, relational, community, and societal levels.

CDC developed a resource, Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Resource for Action [4 MB, 50 Pages] to help states and communities use the best available evidence to prevent and reduce child abuse and neglect. This resource is available in English and Spanish [21 MB, 52 Pages, 508] and can impact individual behaviors and the relationship, family, school, community, and societal factors that influence risk and protective factors for violence. Effective prevention strategies focus on modifying policies, practices, and societal norms to create safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments. The strategies and their corresponding approaches are presented in the table below.

Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect
Intervene to lessen harms and prevent future risk

Enhanced primary care

Behavioral parent training programs

Treatment to lessen harms of abuse and neglect exposure

Treatment to prevent problem behavior and later involvement in violence

See Child Abuse and Neglect Resources for more publications, data sources, and other resources about preventing child abuse and neglect.

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Effective prevention strategies are necessary to promote awareness about child maltreatment and to foster commitment to social change.

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Preventing Child Maltreatment. Via LiveStories. #Data #DataStory

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​Child abuse, also known as maltreatment, is common. It is important to understand and reduce the risks of abuse for your child and be familiar with the signs of abuse and neglect.

About ​4 million cases of child abuse and neglect involving almost 7 million children are reported each year. The highest rate of child abuse is in babies less than one year of age, and 25 percent of victims are younger than age three.

The majority of cases reported to Child Protective Services involve neglect, followed by physical and sexual abuse. There is a lot of overlap among children who are abused, with many suffering a combination of physical abuse, sexual abuse, and/or neglect.

Types of abuse and neglect

Physical abuse occurs when a child's body is injured as a result of hitting, kicking, shaking, burning or other show of force. One study suggests that about 1 in 20 children has been physically abused in their lifetime.

Sexual abuseis any sexual activity that a child cannot understand or consent to. It includes acts such as fondling, oral-genital contact and genital and anal intercourse. It also includes exhibitionism, voyeurism, and exposure to pornography. Studies suggest that up to one in five girls and one in 20 boys will be sexually abused before they are 18 years old. More than 90 percent of child sexual abuse victims know their abuser.

Child neglect can include physical neglect (failing to provide food, clothing, shelter, or other physical necessities), emotional neglect (not providing love, comfort, or affection), and medical or educational neglect (not providing access to needed medical care or education) or supervisory neglect (failure to appropriately supervise). Psychological or emotional abuse results from all of the above, but also can be associated with verbal abuse, which can harm a child's self-worth or emotional well-being.

Risk factors for abuse and neglect

Most child abuse occurs within the family. Risk factors include parental depression or other mental health issues, a parental history of childhood abuse or neglect, parental substance abuse and domestic violence.

Child neglect and other forms of maltreatment are also more common in families living in poverty and among parents who are teenagers or who abuse drugs or alcohol.

Signs and symptoms

It is not always easy to recognize when a child has been abused. Children who have been maltreated are often afraid to tell anyone, because they think they will be blamed or that no one will believe them. Sometimes they remain quiet because the person who abused them is someone they love very much, or because of fear, or both.

Parents also tend to overlook signs and symptoms of abuse, because it is hard to believe it could happen or they fear what might happen if people found out. However, a child who has been abused needs special support and treatment as early as possible. The longer children continue to be abused or are left to deal with the situation on their own, the harder it is for them to be able to heal and develop optimally physically and mentally.

Here are some physical signs and behavioral changes in children who may have experienced abuse or neglect:

Physical signs

Non-mobile infant with any injury

Bruises to the torso, ears, or neck in a child less than four years of age

Any injury (bruise, burn, fracture, abdominal or head injury) that is not consistent with the way the injury is said to have happened, that cannot be adequately explained, or that is inconsistent with the child's developmental capabilities

The child discloses abuse or neglect

Failure to gain weight (especially in infants) or sudden dramatic weight gain

Genital pain, bleeding, or discharge

A sexually transmitted disease

Behavioral and mental health changes that raise concern about possible abuse or neglect

It is important to remember that the following changes are seen in many children as a result of many different kinds of stressful situations and are not specific to child abuse and neglect. The reason for the appearance of these behaviors should always be investigated.

Fearful behavior (nightmares, depression, unusual fears)

Unexplained abdominal pain, sudden onset of bed-wetting, or regression in toileting (especially if the child has already been toilet trained)

Attempts to run away

Extreme sexual behavior that seems developmentally inappropriate for the child's age

Sudden change in self-confidence

Headaches or stomachaches with no medical cause

School failure

Extremely passive or aggressive behavior

Desperately affectionate behavior or social withdrawal

Big appetite and stealing food

Long-term consequences

In most cases, children who are abused or neglected suffer greater mental health than physical health damage. Emotional and psychological abuse, physical abuse, and neglect deny the child the tools needed to cope with stress, and to learn new skills to become resilient, strong, and successful. So a child who is maltreated or neglected may have a wide range of reactions and may even become depressed or develop suicidal, withdrawn, or violent behavior. As they get older, they may show learning difficulties, use drugs or alcohol, try to run away, refuse discipline, or abuse others. As an adult, they may develop marital and sexual difficulties, depression, or suicidal behavior.

Not all children who are abused have severe reactions. Usually the younger the child, the longer the abuse continues. The closer the child's relationship with the abuser, the more serious the mental health effects will be. A close relationship with a very supportive adult can increase resiliency, reducing some of the impact.

Getting help

If you suspect your child has been abused, get help immediately through your pediatrician or a local child protective agency. Physicians are legally obligated to report all suspected cases of abuse or neglect to state authorities. Your pediatrician also will detect and treat any medical injuries or conditions, recommend a therapist, and provide necessary information to investigators. The doctor also may testify in court if needed to secure legal protection for the child or criminal prosecution of the person suspected of perpetrating the abuse or neglect.

If your child has been abused, you may be the only person who can help them. There is no good reason to delay reporting your suspicions of abuse. Denying the problem will only make the situation worse. It allows the abuse or neglect to continue unchecked and lowers your child's chance for optimal physical and mental health and well-being.

In any case of abuse or neglect, the child's safety is of primary concern. They need to be in a safe environment, free of the potential for more abuse and neglect.

Preventing abuse and neglect

The major reasons for physical and psychological maltreatment of children within the family often are a parent's feelings of isolation, stress, and frustration. Parents need support and as much information as possible in order to raise their children responsibly. They need to be taught how to cope with their own feelings of frustration and anger without venting them on children. They also need the companionship of other adults who will listen and help during times of crisis.

Support groups through local community organizations often are helpful first steps to ease some of the isolation or frustration parents may be feeling. Parents who were themselves abused as children are in particular need of support. Confronting, addressing, and healing parental mental and emotional health takes a lot of courage and insight. But this is often the best way to lower the odds of past abuse being passed on to the next generation of children

Personal supervision of and involvement in your child's activities are the best ways to prevent physical and sexual abuse outside the home. Pay careful attention to your child's reports about and reactions to his experiences at child care and school. Always investigate if your child tells you they've been maltreated or if they have a sudden unexplained change in behavior.

Although you don't want to frighten your child, you can teach some basic rules of safety in a non-threatening manner. Teach them to keep their distance from strangers, not to wander away from you in unfamiliar territory, to say "no" when someone asks them to do something they don't want to do. Tell them to always to tell you if someone hurts them or makes them feel bad, even if that person is someone they know.

Remember

Open, two-way communication with your child provides the best chance of knowing early when there is a problem. Make sure your child understands they will not get in trouble if they tell you about abuse or other confusing events.

Instead of teaching them that they are surrounded by danger, teach them that they are strong, capable, and can count on you to keep them safe.

More information

Adapted from Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5 7th Edition (Copyright © 2019 American Academy of Pediatrics)

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child abuse~ sexual abuse~ signs of abuse~ parental neglect~ injury prevention~  effects of abuse~ symptoms of abuse~ types of abuse~ help for abuse victims~ children~ child care~ home safety~ parenting tips~ pediatrics

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Child Abuse and Neglect: What Parents Should Know

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Although it's a mistake to become overprotective and make your child fearful, it is important to recognize the actual risks and familiarize yourself with the signs of abuse.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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Healthy and happy childhoods start now. Learn how you can help!
Young children experience the world through their relationships with parents and other caregivers. Children and families thrive when they have access to safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments. These relationships and environments are the key to creating positive childhood experiences.

Early negative events impact the health and well-being of children and the adults they become. These negative events are known as adverse childhood experiences, or ACEs. ACEs are potentially traumatic events that occur in childhood. For example:

experiencing violence or abuse

witnessing violence

having a family member attempt or die by suicide

ACEs also include aspects of the environment like growing up in a household with:

substance misuse

mental health problems

instability due to parental separation or household members being in jail or prison

Some adversity and stress are normal and can even be helpful so that children learn how to react to future challenges. However, if children are repeatedly exposed to adversities like abuse and neglect and unstable relationships or environments, they may experience toxic stress.

Toxic stress, or prolonged and repeated stress, can change a child's brain development and increase the risk for problems like post-traumatic stress disorder and learning, attention, and memory difficulties. Children growing up with toxic stress may have difficulty forming healthy and stable relationships. They may also have unstable work histories as adults and struggle with finances and depression throughout life. Read more about the impacts of ACEs on adult health and wellbeing.

Child abuse and neglect are ACEs and include all types of abuse and neglect against a child under the age of 18 by a parent, caregiver, or another person in a custodial role (such as a religious leader, a coach, a teacher) that results in harm, potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child. There are four common types of child abuse and neglect:

Physical abuse
Examples include hitting, kicking, shaking, or other shows of force against a child.

Sexual abuse
Examples include behaviors such as fondling, penetration, and exposing a child to other sexual activities. Please see CDC's Preventing Child Sexual Abuse webpage for more information.

Emotional abuse
Examples include name calling, shaming, rejection, withholding love, and threatening.

Neglect
Examples include failure to meet a child's basic physical and emotional needs such as housing, food, clothing, education, and access to medical care.

Child abuse and neglect are common.

At least 1 in 7 children have experienced child abuse and/or neglect in the past year, and this is likely an underestimate.
Children living in poverty experience more abuse and neglect.

Rates of child abuse and neglect are 5 times higher for children in families with low socio-economic status.
Child abuse and neglect and other ACEs have a tremendous impact on lifelong health and wellbeing.

Exposure to violence in childhood increases the risks of future violence victimization and perpetration, substance misuse, chronic health conditions, lower educational attainment, and limited employment opportunities.

The good news is prevention is possible. Everyone can help prevent child abuse and neglect and promote positive childhood experiences by supporting children and families where you live and work.

Parents and caregivers:
Parenting is hard work! There are many things you can do to create positive childhood experiences.

Establish a routine. Children feel secure and thrive when the environment is structured for them.

Praise your child when she does something right. The more you praise a behavior, the more likely it is your child will behave the same way again.

Pay attention to your child when he is trying to communicate with you. Giving him your full attention will make him feel like you care about what he has to say.

Set aside time each day to talk and play with your child. Creating a special time lets your child know she is important and strengthens the bond between the two of you.

We know that every child and every parent is unique. You may face many different situations and challenges every day. It's ok to ask for help.

Reach out to babysitters, family members, or close friends.

Discuss your concerns with your child's doctor.

Find out if your community offers support groups or programs parents and caregivers.

Friends, family, and neighbors:
As a friend or neighbor, you can develop nurturing, supportive relationships with the children in your life. Offer to babysit, make a meal, or drive a parent or child where they need to go.

Coworkers:
As a coworker, you can listen and support your colleagues by encouraging them to take breaks or seek additional help if needed. You can also offer to help with their workload.

Everyone:
We can all recognize challenges that families face and offer support and encouragement to reduce stress. Everyone can promote social norms that discourage violence and help ensure the safety of all members of a community.

Let people know that violence is unacceptable and steps will be taken to protect the victim of violence.

Encourage people to stand up and speak up, if they can safely do so, when a person is being harassed or hurt or needs support.

We can also support community programs and policies that provide safe and healthy conditions for all children and families.

Examples include supporting family friendly work policies like paid leave and flexible work schedules and supporting policies that strengthen household financial security based on the best available evidence.

Working together, we can help create neighborhoods, communities, and a world in which every child can thrive.

Essentials for Parenting Toddlers and Preschoolers
CDC's free, online web resource that provides strategies parents can use to help build a safe, stable, and nurturing relationship with their child. It includes information on common parenting challenges and solutions.

ACEs Trainings
These online trainings are designed to help users understand, recognize, and prevent ACEs from occurring in the first place. There is an introductory training module that is for anyone regardless of education level or profession. There are also modules with information for professionals working directly with and on behalf of kids and families.

CDC's Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Resources
CDC's web page that contains child abuse and neglect prevention resources.

Child Development
CDC's Web page that includes information on developmental milestones, screening, and positive parenting.

Developmental Milestones
CDC's Interactive web resource developed to support parents and caregivers understand important child development milestones.

Parenting Portal
This portal has information from across all of CDC, covering everything from safety at home and the community to immunization schedules.
CDC's VetoViolence Facebook Page

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Young children experience the world through their relationships with parents and other caregivers. Children and families thrive when they have access to safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments. These relationships and environments are the key to creating positive childhood experiences.

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SungateKids has been providing forensic interviewing and child and family advocacy services for more than 25 years. Our expert interviewers are highly trained, and together have more than 30 years of experience interviewing child victims of abuse. We work together in a multidisciplinary team approach with Law Enforcement, Child Protective Services, the District Attorney's Office, and medical and mental health professionals to achieve the best outcomes for the children and families we serve.

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SungateKids | Child Abuse Awareness, Support & Advocacy | Denver, CO

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SungateKids has been providing forensic interviewing and child and family advocacy services for more than 25 years. Our expert interviewers are highly trained, and together have more than 30 years of experience interviewing child victims of abuse.

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Colorado Kinship Navigation Guide Revised 12-2020.pdf

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Shopping at Clothes To Kids is as easy as 1-2-3!

1) Check to see if the student is eligible to shop.

See the "Basic Eligibility Guidelines" below.

2) Make an appointment to shop by calling 720-379-4630 and following the menu prompts.

Phones are currently open Tuesday-Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm. Please leave a message if we do not answer.

Parents/guardians may call to make an appointment for their student(s), or someone else may set an appointment on behalf of a family.*

*When it is not possible for a parent/guardian to shop for a student, we invite other family members or representatives from a referring agency to bring the students to shop, or shop on the family's behalf. Examples of people who can bring a student to shop include a court appointed special advocate (CASA) volunteer, a Guardian ad litem (GAL), a child-protection worker, a mentor or a representative from one of the referral sources listed below. Please see our Shopping FAQs for more information.
3) Shop in person or pick up your clothes curbside.

See "Shopping Options" below.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

Students must be age 3-21, live in the 11-county Denver Metro Area and be enrolled in preschool - 12th grade, or working toward a GED.

Our service area includes the following 11 Denver Metro Area counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Gilpin, Jefferson and Park.

Click here for a list of the 28 school districts that Clothes To Kids serves.

Students must be considered in need of assistance:

Their family is in crisis (due to job loss, disaster, poverty, homelessness or displacement).

Their family is experiencing economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

They are refugees and asylum seekers.

They are eligible for Free or Reduced Lunch (FRL) at school.

They are in kinship or foster care.

They are receiving services from a school, school district, human service agency, shelter, hospital, clinic or place of worship.

Shopping Options

In-Person Shopping

We are operating at full capacity and have plenty of in-person shopping appointments. Please help us serve as many kids as possible by being on time for your appointment and giving us as much notice as possible if you need to reschedule.

Curbside Service

For families who would prefer a contact-less option, we are continuing to offer Curbside Service. Parents and caregivers now have the opportunity to request a wardrobe, which will be thoughtfully selected and packaged by a Clothes To Kids representative for curbside pick-up.

First name, last name and date of birth.

Sizes for clothing, shoes, socks and underwear.

Color, style and clothing type preferences.

Specific needs and special requests.

How To Qualify
WE NO LONGER REQUIRE A REFERRAL OR PROOF OF AUTOMATIC QUALIFICATION TO SHOP. Please call us to make an appointment if the students in your household meet our Basic Eligibility Requirements listed above.
Have Questions?

Please review our Shopping FAQs. If you don't find the answer to your question, please feel free to Contact Us - we are here to help!

Spread The Word!

Click HERE to download flyers, signs and images to help you spread the word about Clothes To Kids in your community!

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1) Check to see if the student is eligible to shop. See the "Basic Eligibility Guidelines" below. 2) Make an appointment to shop by calling 720-379-4630 and following the menu prompts. Phones are currently open Tuesday-Friday from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm and Saturdays from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm.

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The Colorado Department of Human Services Office of Children Youth and Families, Division of Child Welfare is updating standards for background checks and adding definitions.

Read more

Application for SFY20-21 Recruitment & Retention Local Innovation Fund, which provides funding for efforts and/or activities to recruit new foster and adoptive parents and to support the retention of foster families, now available.

Read more

Proposed rules will go into effect by February 2021 in order to implement SB20-106.

Read more

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The Colorado Department of Human Services Office of Children Youth and Families, Division of Child Welfare is updating standards for background checks and adding definitions. Read more Application for SFY20-21 Recruitment & Retention Local Innovation Fund, which provides funding for efforts and/or activities to recruit new foster and adoptive parents and to support the retention of foster families, now available.

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To Get Involved in Prevention in the Community

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To Get Involved in Prevention in the Community

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OurWork The Kempe Foundation works with experts, advocates and community members to advance solutions that improve the lives of children and families. Supporting Kempe Center Experts The Kempe Foundation is a network of caring community members whose dollars directly support professionals in the fie…

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Emotional Abuse Is Far Worse Than You Think

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Child abuse needs to stop and education is the key.
The following free resources are essential to driving change and
are made possible through your contributions. Thank you.

WHAT IS EMOTIONAL ABUSE?

Just as physical injuries can scar and incapacitate a child, emotional maltreatment can cripple and handicap a child emotionally, behaviorally, and intellectually. Self-esteem can be damaged. Severe psychological disorders have been traced to excessively distorted parental attitudes and actions. One of the hallmarks of emotional abuse is the absence of positive interaction (e.g. praising) from parent to their child. Following chronic and severe emotional abuse of a child, emotional and behavioral problems may be present in varying degrees, especially when there is little or no nurturing.

This is especially true for neonates, infants, and toddlers. After emotional abuse, these children may become chronically withdrawn and anxious and lose basic social and language skills necessary for intimate relationships. They may become developmentally delayed, socially limited, and, in some cases, antisocial or chronically unable to protect themselves from others.

Emotional abuse and neglect are also components of other abuse and neglect. Sexual abuse and physical abuse may be the official category for a report, but emotional damage also exists. Emotional abuse and neglect may damage children of all ages, but can be critical with infants and toddlers, leaving them with permanent developmental deficits. It is crucial to recognize the indicators of emotional abuse in order to prevent further harm.

What is Verbal Abuse?

Verbal assault (belittling, screaming, threats, blaming, sarcasm), unpredictable responses, continual negative moods, constant family discord, and chronically communicating conflicting messages are examples of ways parents may subject their children to verbal abuse. There are several signs in parents and in children that may indicate verbal abuse is occurring.

Behavioral Indicators OF ABUSE

Indicators in Parents

These signs indicate that a parent may be engaging in verbal or emotional abuse of a child:

Parents or caretakers place demands on the child that are based on unreasonable or impossible expectations or without consideration of the child's developmental capacity.

The child is used as a "battle ground" for marital conflicts.

The child is used to satisfy the parent's/caretaker's own ego needs and the child is neither old enough nor mature enough to understand.

The child victim is "objectified" by the perpetrator, the child is referred to as "it" ("it" cried, "it" died).

The child is a witness to domestic violence.

Emotional abuse can be seen as proving a self-fulfilling prophecy. If a child is degraded enough, the child will begin to live up to the image communicated by the abusing parent or caretaker.

Emotional abuse cases can be extremely difficult to prove, and cumulative documentation by witnesses is imperative. Such cases should be referred to treatment as soon as possible.

Suspected cases of emotional abuse that constitute willful cruelty or unjustifiable punishment of a child are required to be reported by mandated reporters. This means a report must be made of any situation where any person willfully causes or permits any child to suffer, or inflicts on any child, unjustifiable mental suffering. (Pen. Code, § 11165.3.) However, mandated reporters may also report any degree of mental suffering. While these cases may not always be prosecuted, reporting provides the opportunity for intervention and/or therapy with the family.

Indicators in Children

These signs indicate that a child may be experiencing emotional or verbal abuse:

Is withdrawn, depressed, and apathetic.

Is clingy and forms indiscriminate attachments.

"Acts out" and is considered a behavior problem (e.g. bullies others, chronically uses profanity).

Exhibits exaggerated fearfulness.

Is overly rigid in conforming to instructions of teachers, doctors, and other adults.

Suffers from sleep, speech, or eating disorders.

Displays other signs of emotional turmoil (repetitive, rhythmic movements; rocking, whining, picking at scabs).

Suffers from enuresis (bed wetting) and fecal soiling.

Pays inordinate attention to details or exhibits little or no verbal or physical communication with others.

Unwittingly makes comments such as, "Mommy/Daddy always tells me I'm bad."

The behavior patterns mentioned may, of course, be due to other causes, but the suspicion of abuse should not be dismissed.

WHAT IS EMOTIONAL DEPRIVATION?

Emotional deprivation has been defined as ". . . the deprivation suffered by children when their parents do not provide the normal experiences producing feelings of being loved, wanted, secure, and worthy."

Signs of emotional deprivation such as withholding affection with touch, smiles and sound may be more damaging than verbal and even physical assault. Children may provoke assault if necessary to gain negative interaction rather than suffer the pain of being ignored. This may damage children of all ages but is critical for infants and young toddlers.

Caretakers might also provide cause for evaluation and possible reporting of a neonate at risk. Intervention may include consideration of caretaker depression, substance abuse, parenting deficits, and lack of social or financial support for the caretaker. Consideration should be made for evaluation of the caretaker for these issues, as well as possible domestic violence.

SIGNS OF EMOTIONAL DEPRIVATION

The signs of emotional deprivation in children can be quite varied. Indicators may include:

Refuses to eat adequate amounts of food and is therefore very frail.

Is unable to perform normal learned functions for a given age (walking, talking); exhibits developmental delays, particularly with verbal and nonverbal social skills.

Displays antisocial behavior (aggression, behavioral disruption, bullying others) or obvious "delinquent" behavior (drug abuse, vandalism); conversely, is abnormally unresponsive, sad, or withdrawn.

Constantly "seeks out" and "pesters" other adults, such as teachers or neighbors, for attention and affection.

Displays exaggerated fears.

Apathy, withdrawal, and lack of response to human interaction.

When parents ignore their children, whether because of drug or alcohol use, psychiatric disturbances, personal problems, outside activities, or other preoccupying situations, serious consequences can occur. However, reporting these situations is not mandated unless they constitute a form of legally defined abuse or neglect. Emotional deprivation and neglect may be seen as a lesser form of child abuse/neglect. It may not be reportable or may be assessed out with no intervention. It is, however, a central issue for much of what damages children.

These children may experience more severe damage and are therefore worthy of voluntary intervention and follow-up.

The abuse may be brief, but the trauma lasts a lifetime.
Kids' lives and futures are on the line!
Be the voice against neglect and contribute to end child maltreatment today.

Our Lessons are available for Offline learning!

Parenting Resource Center

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Indicators of Emotional & Verbal Abuse | American SPCC - Signs in Parents & Children

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What are the indicators of emotional and verbal abuse? Visit our Learning Center to learn the signs of emotional abuse and deprivation in parents and children.

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What is a Court Appointed Special Advocate?

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What is a Court Appointed Special Advocate?

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What is a Court Appointed Special Advocate?

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Protective Factors - Parental Resilience

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Family Tree services for children, youth and families serves Adams, Douglas and Jefferson counties. We provide community-based education, treatment, crisis intervention and case management to stabilize families with children and youth in order to prevent and help families overcome child abuse.
If you believe a child is being abused or neglected and is in immediate harm, contact 911. Otherwise, contact the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline at 1-844-CO-4-Kids or 1-844-264-5437.

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Services for children, youth and families in Denver CO and the surrounding area

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Family Tree services for children, youth and families serves Adams, Douglas and Jefferson counties. We provide community-based education, treatment, crisis intervention and case management to stabilize families with children and youth in order to prevent and help families overcome child abuse. If you believe a child is being abused or neglected and is in immediate harm, contact 911.

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When a perpetrator intentionally harms a minor physically, psychologically, sexually, or by acts of neglect, the crime is known as child abuse. This page focuses specifically on child sexual abuse and the warning signs that this crime may be occurring.

What is child sexual abuse?

Child sexual abuse is a form of child abuse that includes sexual activity with a minor. A child cannot consent to any form of sexual activity, period. When a perpetrator engages with a child this way, they are committing a crime that can have lasting effects on the victim for years. Child sexual abuse does not need to include physical contact between a perpetrator and a child. Some forms of child sexual abuse include (but are not limited to):

Exhibitionism, or exposing oneself to a minor

Fondling

Intercourse

Masturbation in the presence of a minor or forcing the minor to masturbate

Obscene conversations, phone calls, text messages, or digital interaction

Producing, owning, or sharing pornographic images or movies of children

Sex of any kind with a minor, including vaginal, oral, or anal

Sex trafficking

Any other contact of a sexual nature that involves a minor.

What do perpetrators of child sexual abuse look like?

The majority of perpetrators are someone the child or family knows. As many as 93 percent of victims under the age of 18 know the abuser. A perpetrator does not have to be an adult to harm a child. They can have any relationship to the child including an older sibling or playmate, family member, a teacher, a coach or instructor, a caretaker, or the parent of another child. According to 1 in 6, "[Child] sexual abuse is the result of abusive behavior that takes advantage of a child's vulnerability and is in no way related to the sexual orientation of the abusive person."

Abusers can manipulate victims to stay quiet about the sexual abuse using a number of different tactics. Often an abuser will use their position of power over the victim to coerce or intimidate the child. They might tell the child that the activity is normal or that they enjoyed it. An abuser may make threats if the child refuses to participate or plans to tell another adult. Child sexual abuse is not only a physical violation; it is a violation of trust and/or authority.

How can I protect my child from sexual abuse?

A big part of protecting your child is about creating a dialogue. Read more to learn about creating this dialogue and keeping your child safe.

What are the warning signs?

Child sexual abuse isn't always easy to spot and some survivors may not exhibit obvious warning signs. The perpetrator could be someone you've known a long time or trust, which may make it even harder to notice. Consider some of the following common warning signs:

Physical signs:

Bleeding, bruises, or swelling in genital area

Bloody, torn, or stained underclothes

Difficulty walking or sitting

Frequent urinary or yeast infections

Pain, itching, or burning in genital area

Behavioral signs:

Changes in hygiene, such as refusing to bathe or bathing excessively

Develops phobias

Exhibits signs of depression or post-traumatic stress disorder

Expresses suicidal thoughts, especially in adolescents

Has trouble in school, such as absences or drops in grades

Inappropriate sexual knowledge or behaviors

Nightmares or bed-wetting

Overly protective and concerned for siblings, or assumes a caretaker role

Returns to regressive behaviors, such as thumb sucking

Runs away from home or school

Shrinks away or seems threatened by physical contact

Where can I get help?

If you want to talk to someone anonymously, call the National Child Abuse Hotline at 800.4.A.CHILD (422-4453), any time 24/7.

Learn more about being an adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse.

To speak with someone who is trained to help, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) or chat online at online.rainn.org.

Want to learn more about healing after child sexual abuse? Access RAINN's eight-week learning series "Redefining Resilience" with topics such as understanding trauma, moving past shame, managing memories, and more.

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warning signs of sexual abuse in children

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how to tell if a child is being sexually abused

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signs that a child has been molested by another child

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When a perpetrator intentionally harms a minor physically, psychologically, sexually, or by acts of neglect, the crime is known as child abuse.

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Behavioral Signs that a Child has been Molested

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Behavioral Signs that a Child has been Molested

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Parenting Tips - Behavioral Signs That A Child Has Been Molested

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Sexual abuse can happen to children of any race, socioeconomic group, religion or culture. There is no foolproof way to protect children from sexual abuse, but there are steps you can take to reduce this risk. If something happens to your child, remember that the perpetrator is to blame-not you and especially not the child. Below you'll find some precautions you can take to help protect the children in your life.

If your child is in immediate danger, don't hesitate to call 911. If you aren't sure of the situation but you suspect the child is being harmed, you can take steps to gauge the situation and put an end to the abuse.

Be involved in the child's life.

Being actively involved in a child's life can make warning signs of child sexual abuse more obvious and help the child feel more comfortable coming to you if something isn't right. If you see or hear something that causes concern, you can take action to protect your child.

Show interest in their day-to-day lives. Ask them what they did during the day and who they did it with. Who did they sit with at lunchtime? What games did they play after school? Did they enjoy themselves?

Get to know the people in your child's life. Know who your child is spending time with, including other children and adults. Ask your child about the kids they go to school with, the parents of their friends, and other people they may encounter, such as teammates or coaches. Talk about these people openly and ask questions so that your child can feel comfortable doing the same.

Choose caregivers carefully. Whether it's a babysitter, a new school, or an afterschool activity, be diligent about screening caregivers for your child.

Talk about the media. Incidents of sexual violence are frequently covered by the news and portrayed in television shows. Ask your child questions about this coverage to start a conversation. Questions like, "Have you ever heard of this happening before?" or "What would you do if you were in this situation?" can signal to your child that these are important issues that they can talk about with you. Learn more about talking to your kids about sexual assault.

Know the warning signs. Become familiar with the warning signs of child sexual abuse, and notice any changes with your child, no matter how small. Whether it's happening to your child or a child you know, you have the potential to make a big difference in that person's life by stepping in.

Encourage children to speak up.

When someone knows that their voice will be heard and taken seriously, it gives them the courage to speak up when something isn't right. You can start having these conversations with your children as soon as they begin using words to talk about feelings or emotions. Don't worry if you haven't started conversations around these topics with your child-it is never too late.

Teach your child about boundaries. Let your child know that no one has the right to touch them or make them feel uncomfortable - this includes hugs from grandparents or even tickling from mom or dad. It is important to let your child know that their body is their own. Just as importantly, remind your child that they do not have the right to touch someone else if that person does not want to be touched.

Teach your child how to talk about their bodies. From an early age, teach your child the names of their body parts. Teaching a child these words gives them the ability to come to you when something is wrong. Learn more about talking to children about sexual assault.

Be available. Set time aside to spend with your child where they have your undivided attention. Let your child know that they can come to you if they have questions or if someone is talking to them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable. If they do come to you with questions or concerns, follow through on your word and make the time to talk.

Let them know they won't get in trouble. Many perpetrators use secret-keeping or threats as a way of keeping children quiet about abuse. Remind your child frequently that they will not get in trouble for talking to you, no matter what they need to say. When they do come to you, follow through on this promise and avoid punishing them for speaking up.

Give them the chance to raise new topics. Sometimes asking direct questions like, "Did you have fun?" and "Was it a good time?" won't give you the answers you need. Give your child a chance to bring up their own concerns or ideas by asking open-ended questions like "Is there anything else you wanted to talk about?"

To speak with someone who is trained to help, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) or chat online at online.rainn.org.

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how can i protect my child from sexual assault

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how to protect my child from molestation

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How Can I Protect My Child From Sexual Assault?

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Sexual abuse can happen to children of any race, socioeconomic group, religion or culture. There is no foolproof way to protect children from sexual abuse, but there are steps you can take to reduce this risk. If something happens to your child, remember that the perpetrator is to blame-not you and especially not the child.

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Hojas Informativas Para las Familias (Factsheets for Families) Series - Child Welfare Information Gateway

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A list of the series of related publications produced or distributed by Information Gateway.

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Five years ago, 844-CO-4-Kids was launched to provide one easy-to-remember phone number for individuals to use statewide to report their concerns about possible child abuse and neglect. Since January 2015, more than 1 million calls have been made to the state’s hotline system, and local county huma…

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CASA Child Advocates of Montgomery County

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Identifying the Different Types of Child Abuse

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Today, 185 children will be maltreated in Texas. Last year, more than 65,000 cases of abuse and neglect were confirmed in Texas alone. One in four girls are sexually abused before their eighteenth …

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Transportation Option for Children in Foster Care

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Arranging safe, dependable transportation or children ages 6+ with qualified caregivers

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Educational Rights of Children in Foster Care (Colorado)

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The State of Colorado and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment are the lead entities and the role of CDE is to inform the conversation. In that role, the Commissioner of Education has been sending out communication to Superintendents.