Consider the possibility of physical abuse if the child: 
• Has injuries that don't fit the story of how they occurred
• Has unexplained bruises or welts on the face, neck, chest or back
• Has unexplained burns on palms, soles of feet or back
• Has injuries in the shape of objects (i.e. belt, cord, iron, etc.)
• Has unexplained black eyes, bites, broken bones, or other fractures
• Has fading bruises or other noticeable marks after being absent from school
• Shrinks at the approach of adults
• Reports injury by a parent or other adult caregiver
• Has not received medical help when necessary
• Exhibits extremes in behavior-very aggressive or withdrawn and shy (behavior that is unlike the child's typical behavior)
• Is afraid to go home
• Is fearful of parents/caregivers or other specific people

Consider the possibility of physical abuse if the parent or caregiver:

• Has conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanation for the child's injury
• Describes the child in a negative way
• Uses harsh physical discipline with the child

Emotional Abuse

Consider the possibility of emotional abuse if the child: 
• Shows extremes in behavior, either overly compliant or demanding, extreme passivity or aggression
• Acts either inappropriately like an adult or inappropriately like a baby/younger child
• Is delayed in physical or emotional development
• Exhibits signs of depression or has attempted suicide
• Displays signs of severe anxiety
• Shows signs of low self-esteem
• Is unable to learn

Consider the possibility of emotional abuse if the parent or caregiver:
• Constantly blames, belittles, or berates the child
• Is unconcerned about the child and refuses to consider offers of help for the child's problems
• Overtly rejects the child

Sexual Abuse

Consider the possibility of sexual abuse if the child:

• Has difficulty walking or sitting or has frequent urination
• Suddenly refuses to change for gym or to participate in physical activities
• Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated , or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior for his or her age
• Becomes pregnant or contracts a sexually transmitted infection
• Runs away or is delinquent
• Reports sexual abuse
• Has pain, swelling, or itching in genital area
• Has bruises, bleeding, discharge in genital area
• Has stained or bloody underclothing
• Has poor peer relationships
• Demonstrates a drastic change in school achievement
• Displays regressive or childlike behavior
• Reports being shown pornography

Consider the possibility of sexual abuse if the adult or minor who is significantly older than the child:

• Doesn’t allow the child to set his or her own limits; insists on hugging, kissing, tickling, wrestling with or holding the child even when the child doesn't want this attention
• Insists on spending time alone with child with no interruptions
• Is overly interested in the sexual activities of children or teens
• When given the choice, prefers to spend time with children, and has little interest in spending time with people his or her own age
• Gives the child money or expensive presents for no reason
• Looks at child pornography; exposes the child to pornography
• Talks about sexual fantasies that involve children
• Describes marital difficulties involving family power struggles or sexual relations
• Often walks in on children/teens while they are in the bathroom
• Encourages a child to keep secrets
• Behaves in a sexual manner toward the child
• Refers to the child using sexual names like “stud,” “whore” or “slut”
• Has a specific child friend, maybe a different friend from time-to-time
• Asks adult partners to dress or act like a child or teen during sexual activity
• Routinely offers to babysit children for free or takes children on overnight outings alone

Neglect

Consider the possibility of neglect if the child:
• Is frequently absent from school
• Lacks needed medical or dental care, immunizations or glasses
• Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor
• Lacks appropriate clothing for the weather
• Abuses alcohol or other drugs
• States there is no one at home to take care of him or her
• Is left alone, unsupervised, for long periods of time (depending on child's age and maturity)
• Shows failure to thrive, malnutrition
• Exhibits constant hunger, begs or steals food
• Extreme willingness to please
• Is frequently absent from school
• Arrives early and stays late at school, play areas, or other people's homes

Consider the possibility of neglect if the parent or caregiver:
• Appears to be indifferent to the child
• Seems apathetic or depressed
• Behaves irrationally or in a bizarre manner
• Abuses alcohol or drugs