This document discusses signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect, as well as characteristics of abusers and dynamics of sexual abuse. It notes that the majority of abusers are parents or relatives of the victim. Suspicions of abuse should be raised if a caregiver's story changes, there is a history of domestic violence, or medical attention is delayed for a child's injury. Abusers often overreact, have low self-esteem, use harsh discipline, and view children negatively. Sexual abusers are usually trusted adults, not strangers, and look to take advantage of secrecy and a child's helplessness to avoid disclosure and detection of their crimes.

1. Child Abuse and Neglect:
Signs and Symptoms
Listening with
your Eyes….
Barbara Brown, Executive Director Child Advocacy Center, Inc.

2. Reality Check!
77% of the perpetrators of child
maltreatment are the parents of
the victim…
An additional 11% are
other relatives of the victim

3. Be suspicious if….
• Caregivers story changes from
person to person over time
• There is a paramour in the home
• Previous evidence of abuse or
domestic violence exists
• There is a delay in seeking medical
attention for child’s injury

4. Suspicions cont’d…
• The explanation of a child’s injury is
not believable
• Caregiver projects blame onto a
third party
• Caregiver understates the
seriousness of injury or illness
• Appropriate concern is not displayed

5. Suspicions, cont’d.
• Multiple bruises in inaccessible
places in different stages of
healing
• Injury results from “discipline”
especially if child is very young
• History given includes multiple
“accidents”

6. Characteristics of Parents who
physically abuse…compared to non-
abusive parents…
• Over-react to child-related and non-
child related stimuli
• Low self-esteem
• Engage in fewer interactions/less cx.
• Use more harsh discipline techniques
• Are more intrusive and inconsistent

7. Parental Characteristics, Cont’d.
• Report more problematic expectations
regarding their children’s abilities in
situations that involve complex child
behaviors
• Hold a negative view of their child
• High levels of life stress/personal
• Have less empathy for their children
Source: Child Abuse:New Directions in Prevention and Treatment Across the Life
Span. D. Wolfe/R. McMahon, and R. Peters, Editors. 1997

8. Myths about Molesters…..
Don’t be fooled into thinking….
• Molesters are “strangers” or “dirty old
men in trench coats”
• Homosexual
• Mentally disturbed
• Lurk in alleys, parks, or school yards
• Addicted to drugs/alcohols

9. Learn the Facts about
Molesters….
A child molester is usually:
• A trusted adult or older teen, often a
close friend or family member
• Someone with access to children
• A skillful manipulator (uses attention,
gifts, lies, threats)
• Someone who looks like YOU!
• Someone you know or come in contact
with

10. Dynamics of Sexual Abuse
Secrecy
Helplessness
Entrapment and
Accommodation
Delayed, Conflicted,
and Unconvincing
Disclosure
Retraction
Child Sexual Abuse
Accommodation Syndrome

11. Offender Profiles
Two Main Offender Groups:
•Situational Offender
•Preferential Offender

12. Situational Offender
• Look for golden opportunities to
victimize children
Does not have a true sexual preference for
children…would prefer an adult sexual
partner
• Emotionally regressed, immature

13. Situational Offender, cont’d.
• Morally and Sexually Indiscriminate
• Usually feels a profound inadequacy
in all areas of life
• Poor locus of Control

14. Preferential Offender
• Has a true sexual preference for
children
• Displays an “attraction template”
• Harbors a “relationship” fantasy
(kids want this, good for them, adults uptight
about sex)

15. Preferential, cont’d…..
• Organized (NAMBLA/18 mos. Society)
• Usually introverted, often sadistic
• Life centers around sexual
preference and fulfillment
• Highly developed sense of
rationalization

16. Preferential, cont’d.
• High degree of predictability and
pattern of behavior
• Well-developed technique in
obtaining victims or has legal
access
• Actively solicits and collects
photos of children of certain
age/type

17. Preferential, cont’d.
Will Share with others while looking for
more pics/items to collect
Organized, permanent collections-they will
rarely destroy-great evidence
Collection of “mementos” including child
erotica, child porn, “trophies from
children”

18. What do we do?
• Secrecy is the hallmark of sexual
abuse
• Those who harm children count on
us being uncomfortable with the
subject…..it helps their cause

19. Encourage Parents To…
• Be approachable on the subject of
sexuality.
• Facts about the “birds and bees” is
NOT the most important thing we
teach children. They are much more
likely to remember whether or not
the subject was o.k. to talk about.

20. Parents, cont’d.
•Encourage them to normalize
body functions (menstrual cycles,
erections, etc.)
•Discourage the use of cutesy
names to describe body parts-
(ears/noses/eyes….genitals)

21. Bottom Line…..
If we as parents and professionals
don’t send the message to
children that we can talk about
body parts and about sex, then
we have encouraged the secrecy
that lends itself to helping
children become…and continue
to be…victims.