Before securing the safety of your children and taking legal action against the other parent, it is important to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect. This way, you can watch out for indicators that the other parent does not have your children’s best interests in mind and take the steps necessary to report them.
What are the signs of child abuse and neglect?
According to Section 412 of the Social Services Law, an abused child is a person under 18 whose parent or caregiver intentionally causes serious physical or emotional harm. It is also abuse if a caregiver commits or allows sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or trafficking, even if the harm has not yet fully occurred. Major red flags for child abuse to look out for include:
Inexplicable injuries: Abused children might have frequently appearing injuries such as bruises, burns, cuts or broken bones that do not look self-inflicted, especially if they are all at different stages of healing.
- Patterned marks: While a child might injure themselves from rough play, it is a cause for concern if they have marks or bruises resembling belt buckles or cigarette burns.
- Odd behavior: Children who shrink away from adults, fear going home to the other parent or flinch when you raise your hand may be being abused.
- Indicators of sexual abuse: It is a cause for concern if a child possesses symptoms of sexually transmitted diseases, has injuries in their genitalia or has age-inappropriate knowledge of sex.
- Mismatching explanations: If a child tells a story about how they received an injury and the other parent tells a different one, it may be a sign of abuse.
- Attitude of the parent: An abusive parent might be excessively harsh, hostile or angry towards the child and show little concern for them.
While abuse refers to the act of doing something deliberately to a child, neglect is the inability or unwillingness to do something for a child. In other words, abuse refers to the intent to harm, whereas neglect is failing to provide for a child’s basic needs. Signs of child neglect include:
- Being dirty and unkempt: If a child is consistently dirty or smells bad, it is likely the other parent is not cleaning or taking care of them.
- Lack of supervision: It is a sign of neglect if children are constantly left to wander alone, as they can potentially harm themselves or cause trouble for others.
- Poor health and hygiene: Children who are constantly weak, tired, hungry, sick or lose weight rapidly may be victims of neglect.
- Desperate for food: A child who begs or steals for food likely does not eat enough at home.
- Untreated needs: Children who have medical conditions, dental needs and disabilities but do not receive treatment or medication for them may be victims of neglect.
- Attitude of the parent: Much like abusive parents, a neglectful parent might behave apathetically or aggressively towards their child and may even blame them for problems.
Bear in mind that these are mere indicators and possible signs, and may not always serve as valid proof for abuse or neglect. However, by being aware of these signs, you can identify them more accurately and start taking steps to protect your child. However, there is a difference between being familiar with the red flags and knowing what you can do to secure your child’s safety.
What can you do to protect your child?
If you suspect child abuse or neglect during a custody dispute, it is important to guarantee the well-being of your child first. You can report the other parent to the relevant authorities, typically by calling 911, Child Protective Services or the New York Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment. If you decide to file a report, you can provide evidence to help with the investigation:
- Your child’s name, age, address, who they live with, address and major observations concerning abuse or neglect you have made about them.
- Photographs of marks or injuries
- Records of incriminating text messages, emails and voicemails
- Documents regarding your child’s behavior or injuries
During a custody dispute, the court will evaluate the best interests of a child and take action accordingly. Proven abuse can result in loss or restriction of custody as New York courts prioritize the safety and well-being of a child.
Navigating child custody laws can be difficult without proper guidance, which prompts many parents to seek help from attorneys. On top of that, sharing the responsibilities of parenthood with someone you no longer live with can be an emotionally exhausting ordeal – especially if you suspect your child is a victim of abuse or neglect. By knowing what you can do to protect your child, you can shield them from further harm and allow them to grow up in a healthy, stable environment.