April is Child Abuse Prevention Month

Each April, we recognize National Child Abuse Prevention Month and the importance of increasing awareness about child and family well-being. We will be sharing resources all month long, as well as hosting a Flag Raising Ceremony: Child Abuse Prevention Month at Springfield City Hall on April 9.

Statistics of Child Abuse and Neglect

7.4 in 1,000 children are victims of maltreatment nationwide
14.9 in 1,000 children are victims of maltreatment in the state of Massachusetts
21 in 1,000 children under the age of 1 are victims of abuse
Children under 1 represent 44% of child fatalities from maltreatment
The majority (76.0%) of perpetrators are parent(s) to their victim

Identifying Signs of Child Abuse and Neglect

Signs of Physical Abuse

Bruising, welts or burns that cannot be sufficiently explained
Unusual bruising patterns that reflect the shape of the instrument used to cause injury (e.g., belt, wire hanger, hairbrush, hand, human bite marks)
Clusters of bruises, welts or burns, indicating repeated contact with a hand or instrument
Injuries on the body where children usually do not get hurt (e.g., the torso, back, buttocks, thighs, neck)
Burns that are insufficiently explained, e.g., cigarette burns
Rope or restraint burns on the arms, hands, neck or legs
Lacerations and abrasions of the lip, eye, or to any part of a child’s face
Tears in the tissue of the gums, possibly as a result of force-feeding
Laceration or abrasion to external genitalia
Absence of hair or hemorrhaging beneath the scalp due to vigorous hair pulling
Withdrawn, fearful or extreme behavior

Signs of Neglect

Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance
Is frequently absent from school or child care
Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to parent or caregiver’s attention
Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes
Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen
Begs or steals food or money
Lacks adult supervision
Is consistently dirty and has severe body odor
Lacks sufficient clothing for the weather

Signs of Sexual Abuse

Difficulty walking or sitting
Pain or itching in the genital area
Torn, stained or bloody underclothing
Bruises or bleeding in external genitalia
Frequent complaints of stomachaches or headaches
Venereal disease
Frequent urinary or yeast infections
Pregnancy
Withdrawal or chronic depression
Inappropriate sex play or premature understanding of sex
Feeling threatened by physical contact, closeness
Promiscuity
Running away from home
Child is “parentified” or overly concerned for siblings
Poor self-esteem, lack of confidence
Peer problems, lack of involvement with friends
Extreme weight change
Suicide attempts or threats; especially with adolescents
Hysteria, lack of emotional control

Signs of Sexual Exploitation or Trafficking

Instability in life functioning: Youth lacks access to basic needs, including stable shelter, and is unable to engage in activities expected of her/his age
Relationships: Youth’s relationships are concerning, placing him/her at risk or in danger
Finances and belongings: Youth has money or material goods that are incongruent with her/his life circumstances
Use of technology: Youth’s use of internet, cell phone or social media involves social or sexual behavior that is atypical for his/her age
Physical health: Youth has significant health problems related to sexual activity and lack of access to basic needs
Risky behaviors: Youth engages in dangerous or risky behaviors, e.g., spending time with abusive partners or in locations where exploitation is known to occur, running away or staying away overnight, using substances)
Trauma exposure/signs: Youth has been exposed to traumatic circumstances and/or exhibits signs and emotional symptoms of trauma exposure
Coercion and grooming: Youth exhibits behaviors or otherwise indicates he/she is being controlled or coerced by another person

Reporting Suspected Abuse or Neglect

Who typically reports child maltreatment?

In 2023, mandated reporters filed 70.9% of reports alleging child abuse and neglect. Neighbors, friends, and relatives submitted 14.8%.

Who is a mandated reporter?

Massachusetts state law requires professionals whose work brings them in contact with children to notify DCF if they suspect that a child is being abused and/or neglected. This includes:

Physicians, medical interns, hospital personnel engaged in the examination, care or treatment of persons, medical examiners
Emergency medical technicians, dentists, nurses, chiropractors, podiatrists, optometrists, osteopaths
Public or private school teachers, educational administrators, guidance or family counselors
Early education, preschool, child care or after school program staff, including any person paid to care for, or work with, a child in any public or private facility, home or program funded or licensed by the Commonwealth, which provides child care or residential services. This includes child care resource and referral agencies, as well as voucher management agencies, family child care providers and child care food programs
Child care licensors, such as staff from the Department of Early Education and Care
Social workers, foster parents, probation officers, clerks magistrate of the district courts parole officers
Firefighters and police officers
School attendance officers, allied mental health and licensed human services professionals
Psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, drug and alcoholism counselors
Persons in charge of a medical or other public or private institution, school or facility or their agents
Clergy members, including ordained or licensed leaders of any church or religious body, persons performing official duties on behalf of a church or religious body, or persons employed by a religious body to supervise, educate, coach, train or counsel a child on a regular basis
The Child Advocate

How to Report Child Abuse or Neglect

During regular business hours (8:45am-5pm M-F), call the DCF area office that serves where the child lives. On nights, weekends, and holidays, call the Child-at-Risk Hotline (800) 792-5200.