By: Emily Sparks
Physical abuse is a difficult subject, but it’s essential to understand what it is, how to recognize it, and what steps to take to prevent it. Let’s take a look at how Utah defines physical abuse, and what every Utahn can do to recognize, resist, and report it.
Recognize
Signs a child may be experiencing physical abuse
According to the Utah Code (Title 76, Chapter 5, Section 109), physical abuse is defined as any action that results in harm or injury to a child. This includes actions like hitting, punching, burning, kicking, or shaking a child, and causing a lasting mark. A lasting mark is any kind of mark on the body that lasts longer than two hours. This includes things such as bruises, broken bones, red marks, handprints, cuts, scrapes, and any other kind of mark left on the child’s body. It doesn’t have to be severe or life-threatening to be considered abuse. It also involves injuries that are harder to detect, like internal bruising, broken bones, or burns.
Children who are being physically abused may not always show clear signs of harm. However, there is a variety of physical, emotional, and behavioral indicators that caregivers, teachers, and others can look for:
- Unexplained injuries: Bruises, burns, welts, cuts, or broken bones that a child cannot explain clearly or that seem inconsistent with the child’s age or development.
- Doesn’t want to go home: A child might act fearful of going home, appear anxious, or avoid certain people, particularly a caregiver or parent.
- Changes in behavior: Physical abuse can lead to drastic behavioral changes, including becoming withdrawn, aggressive, or depressed. They might also regress in behaviors that are below their developmental age, such as bedwetting or thumb sucking. Read more on the effects of abuse on a child’s mental health here.
- Fear of physical touch: If a child flinches when touched or reacts excessively to a simple tap, it may indicate previous harm or abuse.
It’s important to note that some signs of physical abuse might overlap with other issues, like neglect or emotional abuse, so it’s important to consider all factors. It is also important to note that just because a child is expressing one or more of these indicators, it does not automatically mean they are being abused. However, they are worth noting and recognizing the risk, and taking appropriate measures when necessary.
Resist
Is Spanking Considered Abuse?
Physical abuse is a serious problem that can have lasting effects on children and families. While discipline is an essential part of raising children, it is important to have consequences for poor behavior that do not involve hitting or violence. Here are some examples:
- Positive reinforcement: Rewarding positive behavior helps reinforce the actions you want to see more of. Praise, stickers, or extra privileges for good behavior go a long way.
- Time-outs: Removing a child from a situation where they are misbehaving helps them calm down and reflect on their actions. This could be a specific corner, time-out chair, or spot on the couch. It is also important to note that isolating a child for long periods of time does not help them in the long run. Pediatricians recommend sending them to time out for the amount of minutes that is equal to their age (for example, a two year old would be sent to time out for two minutes, etc).
- Setting clear expectations: Establishing rules and routines helps children understand what is expected of them and gives them a sense of security and predictability. This can often prevent meltdowns that would cause poor behaviors.
- Modeling appropriate behavior: Children learn by example, so modeling calm and respectful behavior is an effective way to teach them how to act in various situations, like taking a deep breath.
- Taking away privileges: Losing access to wifi, electronic devices, or friends is a consequence that does not involve physical harm. It is also beneficial to try to associate the consequence with the offense. For example, if they didn’t do their homework because they spent too much time on digital devices, then they lose the privilege to that device for an allotted amount of time.
- Extra responsibilities: Assigning extra chores or tasks teaches a child that their poor decisions will have consequences.
Parents and caregivers can be a child’s greatest role model for how to express emotions and resolve conflicts nonviolently. Children are always watching and learning. All adults can be a child’s template for how to handle everyday hardships and inconveniences.
Report
Every Utahn is a mandated reporter. As the law states, “When any individual has reason to believe that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect, or observes a child being subjected to conditions or circumstances that would reasonably result in abuse or neglect, that individual shall IMMEDIATELY REPORT the alleged abuse or neglect to the nearest peace officer, law enforcement agency, or office of the division.”
When making a call to report, you only need three things. The name of the child, the disclosure, and where the child can be found. For more information on how to prevent child abuse in Utah or if you suspect a child is being abused, you can visit our website at www.pcautah.org for resources and support. If you believe a child is in immediate danger, please contact local authorities or the National Child Abuse Hotline. It is every adult’s responsibility to keep Utah’s children safe. Together, we can prevent child abuse in Utah.