Potential Indicators for CPS Referral
Physical and behavioral indicators of
maltreatment to children that could be potential tips to report.
Physical Abuse -
Physical Indicators
- Unexplained bruises (in various stages of healing), welts,
loop marks
- Adult/human bite marks
- Bald spots or missing clumps of hair
- Unexplained burns/scalds
- Unexplained fractures, skin lacerations/punctures or
abrasions
Physical Abuse -
Behavioral Indicators
- Self-destructive/self-mutilation
- Withdrawn and /or aggressive-behavior extremes
- Uncomfortable/skittish with physical contact
- Arrives at school late or stays late as if afraid to be at
home
- Chronic runaway (adolescents)
- Complains of soreness or moves uncomfortably
- Wears clothing inappropriate to weather, to cover body
- Lack of impulse control (e.g. inappropriate outbursts)
Physical Neglect -
Physical Indicators
- Unattended medical needs
- Consistent lack of supervision
- Consistent hunger, inappropriate dress, poor hygiene
- Distended stomach, emaciated
Physical Neglect -
Behavioral Indicators
- Regularly displays fatigue or listlessness, falls asleep in
class
- Steals/hoards food, begs from classmates
- Reports that no caretaker is at home
- Frequently absent or tardy
- School dropout (adolescents)
Sexual Abuse -
Physical indicators
- Pain or itching in genital area
- bruises or bleeding in genital area
- Venereal disease
- Frequent urinary or yeast infections
- Massive weight change
Sexual Abuse -
Behavioral Indicators
- Withdrawal, chronic depression
- Sexual behaviors or references that are unusual for the
child's age
- Seductive or promiscuous behavior
- Poor self-esteem, self-devaluation, lack of confidence
- Suicide attempts (especially adolescents)
- Hysteria, lack of emotional control
- Habit Disorders (sucking, rocking)