Every kid deserves to have a happy and healthy childhood where they thrive and not be burdened by the trauma from abuse. It’s a horrific experience that steals innocence and can have potentially lasting effects.

“It affects children of every  socioeconomic level, every community, every race, every ethnicity and every religion,” said National Children’s Alliance CEO Teresa Huizar.

The data is concerning as an estimated 558,899 children were reported to have been abused and neglected in the United States alone in 2022, which is the most recent year that there is national data from the Administration for Children and Families Child Maltreatment Report. That’s not even counting the abuse that goes unreported. And, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least one in four girls, and one in 20 boys in the U.S. are estimated to experience child sexual abuse.

Think about how child abuse can affect kids’ sense of safety and trust in their relationships and the world, in general. They can experience mental health issues like depression, anxiety and other trauma symptoms. To cope, they could do things such as abuse substances, take part in risky sexual behaviors, or get violent with themself or others. That’s why one of the most important things you can do for a child you love and care for is to look out for signs of child abuse and get them the help they need to go back to being a kid.

10 Signs of Child Abuse You Need to Look Out For

#1: Unexplained Injuries

Is the child favoring a particular part of their body more than normal? Do you see patterned or clustered bruises? Burns, such as from a cigarette, or multiple burn marks

#2: Changes in Behavior

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#3 Returning to Earlier Behaviors

#4: Fear of Going Home

#5 Changes in Eating

#6: Changes in Sleeping

#7: Changes in School Performance and Attendance

#8: Lack of Personal Care of Hygiene

#9 Risk-taking Behaviors

#10: Inappropriate Sexual Behaviors

The most important thing you can do for a child is to remain calm, tell them they are believed