Figure 5-1: Behavioral Clues That Suggest Possible Child Abuse or Neglect

• Name calling, verbal abuse, negative or belittling labeling of the child
• Stories that suggest children are living in unsafe conditions (e.g., spoiled food, being left alone, traveling in unsafe neighborhoods)
• Blaming children or directing misplaced anger on them that may mask guilt about poor parenting
• Describing children inappropriately in terms of their development (e.g., having expectations for a 4-year-old that should be reserved for a 12-year-old)
• Giving children too much responsibility and autonomy for their age
• Sexualizing the child
• Insisting that the child is just like one of the parents (i.e., negatively describing him)
• Negative behavior on the part of a new partner in the caregiver's life
• Inappropriate disciplinary measures; an inability to distinguish between discipline (guiding) and punishment (hurting)