Signs of Child Abuse
No single sign proves abuse. Any serious concern deserves attention.
You are not being asked to diagnose abuse. Notice changes, listen carefully, and take concerns seriously. You do not need to wait for a pattern or be certain before making a report.
A single sign does not necessarily mean that abuse has occurred, and some children may show no obvious signs. You do not need to diagnose, investigate, or prove what happened before reporting a reasonable concern.
You do not need proof to report a concern.
In New Jersey, anyone with reasonable cause to believe that a child may have been abused or neglected should immediately call the State Central Registry at 1-877-NJ-ABUSE (1-877-652-2873). If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.
Before you continue
Signs are signals to pay attention to, not proof by themselves.
Many of the changes listed below can have causes unrelated to abuse. Consider what you know about the child, whether the behavior is unusual for them, and whether there are other reasons for concern.
Notice changes without interrogating the child.
Listen carefully if a child chooses to speak.
Report reasonable concerns to the appropriate authorities.
A note on certainty
You do not need proof to make a report
It is natural to worry about being wrong, but investigating is not your responsibility. In New Jersey, a report should be made when there is reasonable cause to believe that a child may have been abused or neglected. Share what you saw, heard, or learned with the State Central Registry. Trained professionals determine what happens next.
What to notice
10 possible signs a child may need help
These signs do not prove that abuse or neglect has occurred. They are reasons to pay closer attention, listen, and consider whether a report should be made.
- 01
Unexplained injuries
Unexplained burns, bruises, fractures, or injuries in unusual patterns may be cause for concern, especially when the explanation does not seem consistent with the injury.
- 02
Changes in behavior
A child may suddenly appear unusually fearful, anxious, withdrawn, depressed, aggressive, or eager to please.
- 03
Returning to earlier behaviors
A child may return to behaviors associated with an earlier developmental stage, such as bed-wetting, thumb-sucking, fear of the dark, difficulty with language, or increased dependence on caregivers.
- 04
Fear of going home or being with someone
A child may become anxious about leaving school, going home, visiting a particular place, or being alone with a specific person.
- 05
Changes in eating
Significant or unexplained changes in appetite, eating habits, or weight may indicate that a child is experiencing stress or needs support.
- 06
Changes in sleeping
A child may experience frequent nightmares, difficulty falling asleep, disrupted sleep, or unusual tiredness.
- 07
Changes in school performance or attendance
A child may have new difficulty concentrating, a sudden decline in school performance, frequent absences, or significant changes in their school routine.
- 08
Lack of personal care or hygiene
A child may consistently appear hungry, unwashed, without appropriate clothing for the weather, or without necessary personal or medical care.
- 09
Risk-taking behaviors
Older children and teens may engage in new or escalating risk-taking behaviors, including substance use, running away, self-harm, or other actions that place their safety at risk.
- 10
Sexual knowledge or behavior that is not age-appropriate
A child may use explicit sexual language or display sexual knowledge or behavior that is inconsistent with their age or developmental stage.
Every child is different
Some children show many signs. Others show none.
Age, development, personality, relationships, and circumstances can all affect how a child responds to a difficult or traumatic experience. The absence of visible signs does not necessarily mean that everything is okay.
What matters most is taking the child’s words and your observations seriously without trying to investigate the situation yourself.
If a child tells you
How you respond can help a child feel heard.
Stay calm and allow the child to speak in their own words. Your role is to listen, offer reassurance, and report the concern. It is not to determine exactly what happened.
Helpful responses
- Stay calm and listen without judgment.
- Allow the child to speak in their own words and at their own pace.
- Say, “I’m glad you told me.”
- Say, “This is not your fault.”
- Explain honestly that you need to involve people whose job is to help keep children safe.
- Report the concern promptly.
What to avoid
- Do not interrogate the child.
- Do not ask detailed, repeated, or leading questions.
- Do not express shock, anger, or disbelief.
- Do not promise to keep the information secret.
- Do not confront the person you suspect.
- Do not ask the child to repeat the account to other people.
- Do not delay reporting while you investigate.
What to do next
You do not need to decide whether abuse occurred.
Your responsibility is to report a reasonable concern. Trained professionals at the New Jersey State Central Registry will ask questions, review the information, and determine the appropriate response.
- 01
Share what you know
Tell the hotline what you observed, heard, or were told. It is okay if you do not have every detail.
- 02
Answer what you can
The hotline professional will guide the conversation and may ask about the child, the concern, and any immediate safety risks.
- 03
Let trained professionals respond
You do not need to investigate, confront anyone, or determine whether the concern meets a legal definition.
Continue learning
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If you have reasonable cause to believe that a child may be abused or neglected, call 1-877-NJ-ABUSE (1-877-652-2873). Reports can be made 24 hours a day. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911.