Behavioral Signs of Abuse in Toddlers

Child abuse can happen in even the most seemingly functional families, which makes it difficult to be certain when a child is suffering abuse. Children display some behaviors while in an abusive situation, though, so you can sometimes tell when children are being abused.

Tense Behavior

• Being abused makes a child anxious and fearful. He might jump at loud noises and flinch when he sees quick hand gestures. You might also notice he fidgets excessively even for a child and he takes defensive poses when a threat isn't apparent. He might also have strong fearful reactions when confronted with something he did wrong. For example, if you gently reprimand an abused child for not cleaning up her mess, she might quake in fear or even cry at the gentlest of discipline.

Apathy

• A child can cope with an abusive situation through disassociation. Sometimes it is easier to stop caring than to face abuse. This apathy can manifest itself as withdrawal from others. When you ask the child about their lackluster performance, he will shrug it off instead of getting on the offensive. He may seem desensitized to most forms of gentle constructive discipline because he already receives severe and unwarranted discipline from his abuser.

Aggression

• Abused children will sometimes seek to gain control over their situation by harassing other children. Abused children can also become easily aggravated when confronted with a stern authority figure. Keep an eye out for children exhibiting aggressive behavior towards other students or destructive behavior towards property. It's natural for children to show some mild aggression (especially exuberant little boys), but extreme taunting and threats beyond mild schoolyard aggression can be an abuse indicator.

In Depth Sexual Knowledge

• Not all abuse comes in the form of battering. When a child has a detailed knowledge and interest in sexual interaction, it is a good indicator of sexual abuse. The child may use vulgar language, perform lewd acts on other children or start to show revulsion with their own body. Some physical indicators of this abuse include discomfort walking or sitting, so keep an eye out for children who exhibit a sharp decline in physical activity during playtime.