Emotional Abuse Emotional abuse is expressing attitudes or behaviors toward a child that create serious emotional or psychological damage. Neglect Child neglect can be defined as any serious disregard for a juvenile's supervision, care, or discipline. How to Identify Child Abuse and Neglect Abuse and neglect rarely occur in one isolated incident. Usually a pattern of abusive or neglectful behavior can be observed over time. A child may not tell anyone that abuse or neglect is occurring.
Some children display no negative signs.
It is important to listen carefully to children who tell you about an act of abuse, even if they say that the abuse happened a long time ago or happened to a friend. If you observe the signs listed below, this does not necessarily mean that a child is being abused. You should, however, pay close attention to the child and see if a pattern of signs emerges. How to Make a Report You can make a report of child abuse by calling, writing, or visiting your county Department of Social Services, the Child Protective Services Division. A social worker will listen to you and take down all the information you give.