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Reporting Child Abuse

How to Report Child Abuse and Neglect

What is Child Abuse?

By Georgia Law, child abuse includes the following acts:

  • Physical injury or death inflicted upon a child by a parent or caretaker thereof, by other than accidental means; provided, however, physical forms of discipline may be used as long as there is not physical injury to the child.
  • Physical neglect or exploitation of a child by a parent or caretaker. This includes, but may not be limited to, the lack of proper amount of food, clothing, medical care, guidance, supervision, and other general care.
  • Sexual abuse or sexual exploitation of a child.
  • Emotional/verbal abuse of a child.
  • Report of a parent or caretaker who knows that their child is being “sexually harassed” and who refuses to take action to protect the child from further harassment.

If you suspect that a child you know is suffering from abuse or neglect, whether it’s a neighbor, relative or one of your child’s playmates or classmates:

  • Immediately contact your child’s counselor and/or principal.
  • Give an oral statement describing your full account of the act. Be prepared to share the following information:
  • Name, age and/or date of birth of child
  • Name of parents or caretakers
  • Address or current location of the child(ren)
  • Specifics of the maltreatment
  • Whether the suspected offender has access to the child

After Hours Reporting

Immediately call centralized Intake for the State of Georgia at 1-855-GA-Child (1-855-422-4453), including weekdays after 5:00 p.m., Saturday, Sunday and holidays. The statewide contact taking this call will then contact the local agency’s on-call person for a call back to the school reporter.

Indicators of Possible Child Abuse

Type of Abuse Physical Indicators Behavioral Indicators

Physical: Physical abuse is the non-accidental physical injury of a child.

Physical abuse is the most visible and widely recognized from of child abuse.

Physical indicators of physical abuse:

Unexplained bruises and welts on face, lip, mouth; on torse, back, buttocks, thighs; in various states of healing; clustered, forming regular patterns; imprint of article used to inflict injury (belt, electrical cord); regularly appear after absence, weekend or vacation.

Unexplained burns by cigar, cigarette, especially on the soles of the feet, palms, back or buttocks; immersion burns (sock-like, glove-like).

Unexplained fractures/ dislocations; bald patches on the scalp.

Behavioral indicators of physical abuse:

Feels deserving of punishment; wary of adult contact; frightened of parents; afraid to go home; reports injury by parents; self-destructive behavior; withdrawn or aggressive behavioral extremes; uncomfortable with physical contact; complains of soreness or moves uncomfortably; wears clothing inappropriate for weather to cover body.
Neglect: Neglect is the most common form of child abuse. It includes: lack of adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical care; does not meet emotional or psychological needs of child; educational/cognitive neglect; lack of supervision for optimal growth and development; birth addicted (drug exposure).

Physical indicators of neglect:

Consistent hunger; poor hygiene; inappropriate dress; consistent lack of supervision; unattended physical problems or medical needs; underweight; poor growth patterns; failure to thrive; lice, distended stomach, emaciated look.

Behavioral indicators of neglect:

Self destructive behaviors; begging, stealing food; extended stays at school (early arrival and late departures); constant fatigue; listlessness, or falling asleep in class; assuming adult responsibilities and concerns; states there is no caretaker in the home; frequently absent or tardy.

Sexual: Sexual abuse is the exploitation of a child for the sexual gratification of an adult or older child.

Sexual abuse is the most commonly perpetrated by an individual known to the victim, rarely is the offender a stranger. One-third of all sexual abuse is perpetrated by another child.

Sexual abuse includes touching offenses: fondling, sodomy, rape; and non-touching offenses: child prostitution, indecent exposure and exhibitionism, utilizing the internet as a vehicle for expolitation.

Physical indicators of sexual abuse:

Difficulty walking or sitting; torn, stained or bloody underclothing; pain, swelling or itching in the genital area; pain on urination; bruises, bleeding, or laceration in external genitalia area; presence of sexually transmitted disease; frequent urinary or yeast infections.

Behavioral indicators of sexual abuse:

Inappropriate sex play or advanced sexual knowledge and promiscuity; hysteria, lack of emotional control; sudden school difficulties; withdrawal or depression; excessive worrying about siblings; difficult peer relationships, resists involvement with peers; self-imposed social isolation; avoidance of physical contact or closeness; sudden massive weight change (loss or gain).

Emotional: Emotional abuse is the excessive or aggressive parental behavior that places unreasonable demands on a child to perform above his or her capabilities.

It frequently occurs as verbal abuse, but can also include the following: rejection, terrorizing, shameful forms of punishment, withholding physical and emotional contact; developmentally inappropriate expectations.

Emotional abuse is usually not an isolated incident, but instead it is a pattern of behavior that occurs over a period of time.

Physical indicators of emotional abuse:

Speech or other communicative disorder; delayed physical development; exacerbation of existing conditions such as asthma or allergies; substance abuse.

Behavioral indicators of emotional abuse:

Habit disorders (sucking, rocking); antisocial or destructive behaviors, including delinquency; neurotic traits (sleep disorders, inhibition to play); behavioral extremes (passivity or aggression); developmental delays.