Understanding the Signs and Types of Child Abuse in Colorado
Child abuse and neglect can affect the physical, emotional and behavioral development of a child or youth. Learning to recognize the signs and types of child abuse is a fundamental step in the process of helping children have a safer future.
If you suspect a child is experiencing abuse or neglect, call the Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline now.
844-CO-4-KidsWhat is Physical Abuse?
Physical child abuse is one of the most well-known types of child abuse. Physical child abuse happens when an adult — usually a caregiver or a parent — causes non-accidental injury to a child or youth. These injuries are intentional acts that harm the child’s body.
In some situations, parents and caregivers may choose to use physical discipline, such as spanking or paddling. This type of physical discipline is NOT considered abuse if it is done in a reasonable way and does NOT cause injury.
Signs of Physical Abuse in Children or Youth
- Has unexplained burns, bites, bruises, broken bones or black eyes
- Has fading bruises or other noticeable similar marks after an absence from school
- Excessive fear of parents, caregivers or adults responsible for their care
- Reports an injury by a parent or another adult caregiver
Signs in Parents, Caregivers and Adults
- Offers conflicting, unconvincing, or no explanations for the child or youth’s injury, or provides an explanation that is not consistent with the injury
- Uses harsh physical discipline with the child
- Is often verbally aggressive toward the child or youth
- Expresses little concern for the safety or well-being of the child or youth
What is Emotional Abuse?
Emotional child abuse happens when a parent, caregiver or adult who cares for a child uses words or actions that constantly threaten, shame or humiliate them. Over time, this type of behavior damages a child’s emotional development and self-worth. Emotional child abuse can include:
- Yelling or name-calling
- Making a child feel unwanted or unloved
- Ignoring or rejecting a child
- Controlling through fear or threats
Signs of Emotional Abuse in Children or Youth
- Has lower self-esteem, looks anxious or depressed
- Has attempted suicide or other forms of self-harm
- Uses substances
- Reports a lack of attachment to the parent
Signs in Parents, Caregivers and Adults
- Constantly threatens, curses and yells at children
- Withholds affection or shows little or no interest in a child
- Little-to-no social contact with the child or youth
- Refuses to respond to a child or youth’s needs
What is Sexual Abuse?
Child sexual abuse happens when a parent, caregiver or adult uses a child or youth in sexual activities for their pleasure or to make money. Activities include touching a child or youth’s genitals, penetration, incest, rape, exposing themselves to a child and/or child sex trafficking.
Signs of Sexual Abuse in Children or Youth
- Demonstrates bizarre, sophisticated or unusual sexual knowledge or behavior
- Has difficulty sitting or walking
- Regresses to early childhood behaviors that are not typical for their age, such as constant nightmares and bedwetting
- Attaches very quickly to strangers or new adults in their environment or experiences post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms
- Is pregnant or contracts a sexually transmitted infection (STI)
- Reports sexual abuse by a parent or another adult caregiver
Signs in Parents, Caregivers and Adults
- Is very protective of the child or youth or limits the child’s contact with others, especially those of the opposite sex
- Exhibits compulsive sexual behavior characterized by intense sexual feelings, thoughts and actions
- Is secretive and isolated
- Is jealous or controlling with family members
What is Institutional Abuse?
Institutional abuse happens when a child or youth is abused or neglected while living in an out-of-home placement through the child welfare system. These placements include foster homes, residential treatment homes, certified and non-certified kinship providers, Division of Youth Services facilities, group homes and licensed child care facilities.
Signs of Institutional Abuse in Children or Youth
What is Child Trafficking?
Child trafficking happens when a child or youth is exploited for profit or personal gain. Within this type of child abuse, there are two forms of child trafficking: labor trafficking and sex trafficking.
What is Child Labor Trafficking?
Child labor trafficking happens when a parent, caregiver or adult uses force, fraud or coercion to make a child or youth provide labor or services. This can occur in various labor settings, both formal — such as businesses, farms and factories — and informal — such as domestic labor, drug sales, door-to-door sales and panhandling.
What is Child Sex Trafficking?
Child sex trafficking occurs when anyone under the age of 18 is involved in sex trading or commercial sex. They are forced, threatened, manipulated or recruited into sex trade — or may engage in survival sex to meet basic needs. Any child or youth can be a victim of sex trafficking, no matter where they were born, their background or how much money their family has.
Signs of Traffickingin Children or Youth
- Frequently runs away
- Is submissive, nervous, and/or avoids eye contact
- Is in a relationship with an older or controlling partner
- Evidence of drug or alcohol use (e.g., intoxication, drug paraphernalia, etc.)
- Is in the custody of a non-family member; the youth’s relationship with the adult is unclear
- Has sexually explicit social media
- Identifies as LGBTQIA2S+ and is experiencing family rejection and harassment
- Is unable to move or leave a job
Test Your Knowledge of the Types and Signs of Child Abuse
Scenario #1
Sophie has told her friend Emma that she is afraid to go back home because her parents are always yelling at each other. Sophie said that in the last two weeks, things have gotten scarier because her dad has hit her mom several times. Her dad has told Sophie that he is not upset with her and that he will never hurt her.
Scenario #1
This is an example of emotional child abuse, and there is a risk that this could turn into physical abuse as well.
Scenario #2
Leana is a professional house cleaner. On one occasion, she was working at a house where two children started fighting. Their mother came to break them apart and used a cable to hit both kids. Leana could see red marks on the skin of both children.
Scenario #2
While physical discipline is allowed under Colorado law, it must be done in a reasonable way and cannot injure children or youth. Because of the red marks on the skin, this would be a sign of physical child abuse.
Scenario #3
While scrolling through social media, Mike found his friend Robert’s profile. He was alarmed to see explicit content featuring Robert’s ten-year-old daughter. After confirming it was the same Robert from high school, he was disturbed by the comments from adults about the child.
Scenario #3
This may be an example of child sexual abuse and/or child sex trafficking.
Scenario #4
Kelly works in a slaughterhouse. Last month, her company made changes to its cleaning vendor. She has noticed that in the last two weeks, two children who appear to be 12 years old have been part of the crew that cleans the slaughter floors and the room where the meats get cut and processed.
Scenario #4
This may be a sign of child trafficking, specifically labor trafficking.