Signs of Abuse

Signs sometimes shown by individuals who are abused or impacted by violence:

Individuals express their feelings through behaviors and words. Continue to monitor your loved one’s behavior over time; their feelings will change as they move through different developmental stages. If you notice changes you are concerned about, speak with a mental health professional or call the CornerHouse Family Services team at (612) 813-8312.

  • Changes in appetite or eating habits

  • Nightmares or other changes in sleeping patterns

  • Bed wetting

  • Sexually inappropriate behavior

  • Explicit sexual knowledge, behavior, and/or language for their age

  • Regression in skills or abilities

  • Anger, aggressiveness

  • Mood changes; agitation, hyperactivity, irritability, fears, or phobias

  • Changes in school performance

  • Withdrawal from others; avoidance of school, friends, or activities

  • Rebelliousness, lying

  • Depression, suicide attempts

  • Unexplained illness; nausea or upset stomach, headache

  • Frequent genital infections

  • Delinquent behaviors; truancy, alcohol or drug use, running away

  • Avoiding the offender or behavior shifts around a specific person

  • May appear to be going through a “phase”

  • Change in play habits and the way they treat their playthings, for example:

    • Change in play habits developmentally

    • Inappropriate or over-sexualized play

    • Significant or sudden shift in aggressiveness or consistently aggressive

If you have noticed these behaviors and are concerned about a child, adolescent, or vulnerable adult, speak with a mental health professional or call the CornerHouse Family Services team at (612) 813-8312.

You may also contact Child Protection Services to make a report.

 

Mirnesa