Indicators do not prove that a child has been abused. They are clues that should alert a staff person that abuse may have occurred. It is not the job of staff to assess the physical or psychological state of a child or others involved. It is a staff person’s responsibility to report any suspicions to a child protection agency. The assessment and validation of allegations of child abuse is the role of the child protection agency and/or police.

For information on the reporting process, click here. For information on the duty to report legislation and reporting process for each province, click here.  

Indicators are the signs, symptoms, or clues which may mean that a child has been abused or may be at risk for abuse. They do not prove that a child has been abused, but rather serve as clues that a child may be in need of help. Indicators may:

• Be apparent in the child’s physical condition and/or manifested in the child’s behaviour

• Be manifested in the behaviours and attitudes of adults who abuse children. This may cause others to question their ability to care for children. Although most adults who have abused children are not mentally ill, a risk factor to take into account is adults who present with some personal dysfunction such as a mental illness, personality disorder, and/or substance abuse issues.

• Be non-specific and common in children. For example, bedwetting nightmares, clinging behaviours, or increased self-stimulation may be related to stress in a child’s life such as that stemming from marital discord, family illness or death. These behaviours and others such as the re-enactment of adult sexual behaviour or explicit sexual knowledge inappropriate to a child’s age and stage of development may also indicate a history of abuse.