Recognizing Signs of Abuse

Educators are often among the first adults to notice when something is wrong in a child's life. Because children spend significant time at school and rarely disclose abuse directly, recognizing behavioral and physical changes is one of the most important skills a school staff member can have.

No single sign confirms abuse, and many of these indicators can have other explanations. What matters is a pattern of changes, particularly sudden or unexplained ones, or a combination of signs across multiple categories. When you notice something that concerns you, document what you have observed and report it. You do not need to investigate or be certain — that is the role of trained professionals.

Physical Signs:

• Bleeding, bruising, or swelling around the genitals

• Torn, stained, or bloody clothing

• Trouble sitting or walking comfortably

• Frequent urinary tract or yeast infections

• Persistent genital pain, itching, or burning

• Unexplained injuries or injuries that do not match the explanation given

Behavioral Changes:

• Sudden changes in hygiene habits

• Severe nightmares or new bed-wetting in older children

• Acute fear of being alone or with specific people

• Abrupt changes in sleep or eating patterns reported by families

• Withdrawal from activities or peers they previously enjoyed

• Regressing to younger behaviors such as thumb-sucking or extreme clinginess

Social & Academic Signs:

• Sudden decline in grades or school engagement

• Unexplained absences or reluctance to go home

• Running away or talking about running away

• Visible anxiety, tension, or distress around specific adults

• Withdrawal from friendships or previously enjoyed activities

Emotional & Psychological Signs:

• Self-harm or expressions of suicidal thoughts

• Sexual behavior or language that seems beyond their developmental age

• Acting overly protective of younger students or siblings

• Sudden personality changes, including aggression, withdrawal, or extreme compliance

Grooming Behaviors to Watch for in Adults

Abuse is often preceded by grooming — a gradual process where an adult builds trust and normalizes boundary violations. Watch for adults who:

• Seek out one-on-one time with a student in isolated or private settings

• Give a student special gifts, attention, or privileges without clear reason

• Communicate with students privately through text, social media, or apps

• Use secrecy with a child or ask the child to keep things from parents

• Initiate excessive or unnecessary physical contact

• Speak about a student in overly personal or intimate ways

Note that grooming behaviors may come from staff, volunteers, other adults in the building, or older students. Concerns about adult behavior toward a student should be reported to school administration and if warranted to DCFS, regardless of whether abuse has occurred.

A note on age-specific responses: Younger children are more likely to show physical and behavioral signs. Older students and adolescents are more likely to show social withdrawal, academic decline, or changes in relationships. Children of any age rarely disclose abuse directly, and many show no visible signs at all. Familiarity with a student's baseline behavior is one of the most valuable tools an educator has.

Important Information

• Understanding and Identifying Child Sexual Abuse: A Guide for Educators (Prevent Child Abuse Utah)

• Learn the Signs (Utah Children's Justice Center)

• Signs of Sexual Abuse in Children (Saprea)

• Children’s Responses to Trauma by Age Group (National Child Traumatic Stress Network)

• Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)

• Recognizing, Responding to, and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (Safe Kids Thrive)

• Worried About an Adult’s Behavior (Stop it Now)

• Worried About Your Own Thoughts and Behavior (Stop it Now)

• Identifying Abuse & Neglect (Childhelp)