The symptoms of child abuse can involve chronic behavior changes, increasing periods of anger, loss of control, social relationship changes, loner patterns, and abnormal patterns of behavior. Physical abuse is sometimes discovered by identifying bruises on non-bony areas of the child's body followed by illogical explanation of why the bruises occurred. Sexual abuse can sometimes be identified by the child acting out sexual behavior, excessive fears of contact, major performance changes, and avoidance of normal peer group relationships. Most abuse comes about with the abuser providing a friendly environment with fun activities for the child. An attachment and trust relationship period is developed.
Many abusers are well known to the child.
Abusers are often a person the child respects as an authority source. The selection of employees dealing with children is an important task for park districts in reducing child abuse. Park districts are encouraged to use youth program checks pursuant to the Illinois Child Care Act. Park districts can play a role in the prevention or reduction of child abuse by simple procedural processes. The first task is being aware of the preconditions to child abuse.