NSPCC - Who to turn to - Helpline - Common signs of abuse

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Common signs of abuse

A child may be experiencing abuse if he or she is:

frequently dirty, hungry or inadequately dressed
left in unsafe situations or without medical attention
constantly "put down", insulted, sworn at or humiliated
seemingly afraid of parents or carers
severely bruised or injured
displaying sexual behaviour which doesn't seem appropriate for their age
growing up in a home where there is domestic violence
living with parents or carers involved in serious drug or alcohol abuse.

Remember, this list does not cover every possibility. You may have seen other things in the child's behaviour or circumstances that worry you. If in doubt, contact the NSPCC Helpline and talk to one of our counsellors, who are all trained child protection officers. They can give you expert advice and will take action to protect the child if necessary.

Abuse is always wrong and it is never the young person's fault.

NSPCC Helpline
Tel: 0808 800 5000
Email: Helpline@nspcc.org.uk

NSPCC Asian Helpline
Bengali 0800 096 7714
Gujurati 0800 096 7715
Hindi 0800 096 7716
Punjabi 0800 096 7717
Urdu 0800 096 7718
Asian/English 0800 096 7719

Cymru/Wales Child Protection Helpline
Freephone: 0808 100 2524.
Email: helplinecymru@nspcc.org.uk in English or Welsh.
Textphone: Freephone 0808 100 1033. This is for people with hearing difficulties.
Fax: 01248 361085