Behavioral Signs of Physical Abuse • Self-destructive behavior; • Evident discomfort with physical contact; for example, an abused child will often avoid physical contact, sometimes even shrinking at the touch or approach of an adult; • Fear of being at home, or being alone with parents or caretakers; • Reported injury caused by a parent; • Chronic running away from home – most common with adolescents and preadolescents; • Complaints of soreness or discomfort when walking or moving; • Wearing of clothing not appropriate to the weather to cover body; • Apprehension caused by crying of children; • Demonstrated extremes in behavior; for example, extreme aggressiveness or withdrawal; or • Unprovoked cruelty to animals. There are questions you can ask yourself when identifying possible physical abuse: • Are bruises bilateral, or are they found on only one surface (plane) of the body? • Did bruises occur at different times? Bruises of various ages could indicate ongoing abuse. • Are there patterns caused by a particular instrument; for example, a belt buckle, a straight edge, coat hanger? • Are injuries inconsistent with the explanation offered by the caretaker? • Are inconsistent explanations for bruising or injuries offered over time? • Are injuries inconsistent with the child’s age? • Are the patterns of the injuries consistent with
abuse; for example, the shattered eggshell pattern of skull fractures commonly found in children who have been thrown against a wall? • Are the burn patterns consistent with forced immersion in a hot liquid; for example, is there a distinct boundary line where the burn stops, a “stocking burn,” or a “doughnut” pattern? • Are the burn patterns consistent with spattering by hot liquids or consistent with the explanation offered? • Are there distinct burn patterns caused by a particular object; for example, an electric iron, the grate of an electric heater, a cigarette? Sexual Abuse Perceptible Signs of Sexual Abuse • Difficulty walking or sitting; • Pain or itching in the genital area; • Torn, stained or bloody underclothing; • Bruises or bleeding in external genitalia; • Frequent complaints of stomachaches or headaches; • Venereal disease; • Frequent urinary or yeast infections; or • Pregnancy. Behavioral Signs of Sexual Abuse • Withdrawal or chronic depression; • Inappropriate sex play or premature understanding of sex; • Feeling threatened by physical contact, closeness; • Promiscuity; • Running away from home;
obsession, compulsion, phobias and hypochondria; • Behavior extremes, for example, appearing extremely passive or aggressive or very demanding or undemanding; • Overly adaptive behaviors which are either inappropriately adult, such as parenting other children, or inappropriately infantile, such as rocking, head banging or thumb-sucking; • Delays in emotional and intellectual development; • Attempted suicide; or • Unprovoked cruelty to animals. If you believe a child may be the victim of abuse or neglect, contact the Child-at-Risk Hotline at 1-800-792-5200. DSS has appropriately trained and experienced staff who will take your call and address your concerns. Traffic Control Plan Camp Name: ___________________________________________________________ Camp Dates: _________________________ The rules and regulations of University Parking Services, University Police Department and the Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Department will govern traffic control. Initial drop off for camp shall be on Date: ________________ Time: ______________________ Drop off for registration shall be at the following Building/Location: ________________________