Although we don't like to talk about it, child abuse is something real and serious that goes on every day. It is something horrible, and knowing the warning signs can help to prevent it from continuing if you work with children on a daily basis such as in a school or daycare.

There are many types of child abuse out there, though they usually fall into two categories: physical and emotional.

Types of Child Abuse: Physical
  • Characterized by unusually located physical trauma, such as scars, burns, bruises or otherwise. The child does not have a good explanation for how they got there, or is reluctant to talk about it.
  • If you see this on a recurring basis, the authorities should be contacted to look into it
Types of Child Abuse: Emotional
  • This can be tricky, because children - as simple as we consider them - can be very complicated psychologically. By age 6 or 7 when they start school - there are already many patterns and behaviors that have been engraved into their minds, so it takes much more discerning than a simple observation.
  • Generally, if you notice a drastic change in behavior (like an extroverted kid suddenly becoming quiet) or strange reactions to things like fear, anxiety or depression - these are warning signs that something is going on at home. Professional help should be seen, like the school psychologist and further steps taken from there.
Overall, these types of child abuse hopefully you will never have to encounter - but it is good to be aware of them nevertheless.