Generally, there is no way to distinguish child abusers from everybody else. A child abuser does not look different or act different than most people. Child abusers could be anyone. Therefore, it is essential to be familiar with the signs of abuse in order to help a child if they are experiencing abuse or neglect.
There are many different types of abuse: physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect.
A child abuser who inflicts emotional abuse on a child is responsible for making that child feel useless and inadequate. A child who is suffering from emotional abuse may withdraw from their friends and family and not engage in activities the way they had previously. Anti-social behavior is often a consequence of emotional abuse.
An emotional child abuser will cause the child to feel very poorly about themselves, and therefore, the child will display low self-esteem. A child who is suffering from emotional abuse may do poorly in school and may lose interest in the things that they used to enjoy. Severe depression is a common symptom of emotional abuse.
When a child is suffering from neglect, they may often appear dirty and may wear unclean clothes. A child who is not receiving proper medical care or dental care may be neglected. Also, if a child appears to be skinny or malnourished, they may be a victim of neglect. In many cases, children who abuse drugs and alcohol have been neglected by their parents. These are all common signs of abuse, and being aware of them may help to recognize whether or not a child is being subjected to abuse.