What can you do if you recognize child abuse and / or neglect in your environment?

If you notice any of the following signs in children in your environment, you may suspect that it is the case of abuse and neglect. 

• Distrust of the child or extreme caution towards all adults; 
• Extremely aggressive, submissive, worried or anxious behavior of the child; 
• Low self-esteem, withdrawal or difficulty in establishing relationships with adults or other children; 
• Excessive obedience and humility in order to please adults; 
• Difficulty concentrating; 
• Excessive rocking, mumbling, sucking or nibbling; 
• Frequent nightmares or difficulty sleeping; 
• It seems to you that the child is prone to accidents or has unexplained bruises or injuries at different stages of healing; 
• Unclear explanations for injuries that do not match the type of injury; 
•  The child does not want to go home if he is elsewhere (or elsewhere); 
•  Inappropriate use of sexual terms or behavior related to the age and development of the child. 

What can you do if you suspect that a child from your environment has been abused or neglected: 

• Be sensitive to any warning signs of possible abuse or neglect; 
• Offer the child to talk to you at any time; 
• Have gentle conversations without condemnation. 
• Show concern if the child looks sad or bad, as this may motivate the child to share their experience with you. 
• Do not put pressure on the child to answer your questions, or “put words in his mouth”; 
• Contact your local child protection authorities (Police or Center for Social Work). They will take protective measures and can advise you on your next steps. If you are concerned about your safety, you can remain anonymous- 
• Take care of yourself, this topic can be very disturbing. If you need to talk to someone about how you are feeling, contact support experts.