Health care professionals are trained in the warning signs of child abuse. For most of us, we have no idea what these signs are. If a child is not around professionals or at school it is up to us to help them if they are in need. A basic knowledge of the warning signs that a child is being abused may actually help save the child.

While it is a very hard subject to address for most of us, our fears and repulsion get the better of us, we can collectively stop child abuse by recognizing the warning signs and bringing them to the attention of those very professionals that can help.

The behavioral signs of child abuse can also show up and be present at other stressful times in a child’s life. Parent’s divorce, death of a family member, friend or pet, or even bully problems in school, indicate the same symptoms. However, regardless of the cause, it is important to get the child help.

Many signs may be present and not just any one of them. Any one sign doesn’t mean the child was abused, either. What you need to know is that if several of them are present in any child you know, it’s a good time to begin asking questions.

1. Fear of certain people.

2. fear of certain places.

A child may not want to be left alone with a baby-sitter, a certain friend or relative, other child or adult. If your child child who is usually talkative and cheery may become quiet and distant when around a certain person).

3. Nightmares, trouble sleeping, or other extreme fears without an obvious explanation.

4. Play, writing, drawings or dreams may include sexual or frightening images.

5. Seems distracted or distant, spaced out at odd times.

6. Loss of appetite, or trouble eating or swallowing or sudden changes in eating habits.

7. Sudden mood swings: rage, fear, anger, insecurity or withdrawal.

8. Leaves “clues” that seem likely to provoke a discussion about sexual issues.

9. Stomach illness all of the time with no identifiable reason.

10. An older child behaving like a younger child, such as bed-wetting or thumb sucking.

Again it’s a series of signs that means you have to open discussions with the appropriate people involved and see if it is child abuse.

Most of the time we think of child predators hanging out in chat rooms and social networks.

They are, in fact, everywhere. I was reading this news story this morning about a 13 year old stalked and caught by a sexual predator through a World of Warcraft site. Any sites that attract kids of any age will attract the predators that troll for them.

Once the connection is made, the predator lures them into offline meetings. Never, ever agree to meet anyone offline that you meet online. This is our mantra and while it is not one of those rules most people will follow, we’re sticking with it as a top online safety rule.

If you do want to meet someone, there are two things:

1. If you are a parent, go with your child and make sure it is in a very public place.

2. If you are a teenager or child, make sure you take a parent with you. This is a time for adult supervision and not friends just in case it is a large, aggressive predator that means you harm.

In the meantime, assume every site you surf and visit online is hiding someone you don’t want to get to know.

Here’s the news link if you want to read more: Click Here