{"id":29,"date":"2026-02-06T09:22:55","date_gmt":"2026-02-06T15:22:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/attaca.org\/?page_id=29"},"modified":"2026-02-27T10:24:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T16:24:57","slug":"signs-symptoms","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/attaca.org\/?page_id=29","title":{"rendered":"Signs &amp; Symptoms"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0.5)&#8221; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/attaca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/485207398_676629278260683_5163604776139372869_n.jpg&#8221; background_blend=&#8221;darken&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;200px|0px|200px||true|false&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=&#8221;SIGNS &#038; SYMPTOMS&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_font=&#8221;|600|||||||&#8221; title_font_size=&#8221;80px&#8221; content_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; background_enable_color=&#8221;off&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; title_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; title_font_size_tablet=&#8221;65px&#8221; title_font_size_phone=&#8221;40px&#8221;][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>The mission of A.T.T.A.C.A is to bring awareness to the issue of child abuse. One of the things you can do to help is to be aware of signs and systems of abuse, so you are better able to spot them if you are around children. The following information is compiled from the Mayo Clinic.<\/p>\n<p>Specific signs and symptoms depend on the type of abuse and can vary. Keep in mind that warning signs are just that \u2014 warning signs. The presence of warning signs doesn&#8217;t necessarily mean that a child is being abused.<\/p>\n<p>A child who\u2019s being abused may feel guilty, ashamed or confused. He or she may be afraid to tell anyone about the abuse, especially if the abuser is a parent, other relative or family friend. In fact, the child may have an apparent fear of parents, adult caregivers or family friends. It\u2019s vital to watch for red flags, such as:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"\">\n<li>Withdrawal from friends or usual activities<\/li>\n<li>Changes in behavior \u2014 such as aggression, anger, hostility or hyperactivity \u2014 or changes in school performance<\/li>\n<li>Depression, anxiety or unusual fears or a sudden loss of self-confidence<\/li>\n<li>An apparent lack of supervision<\/li>\n<li>Frequent absences from school or reluctance to ride the school bus<\/li>\n<li>Reluctance to leave school activities, as if he or she doesn\u2019t want to go home<\/li>\n<li>Attempts at running away<\/li>\n<li>Rebellious or defiant behavior<\/li>\n<li>Attempts at suicide<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/attaca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/cropped-276217987_132240182699598_3205668115546453366_n.png&#8221; title_text=&#8221;cropped-276217987_132240182699598_3205668115546453366_n.png&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; module_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; width__hover_enabled=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_slider _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; auto=&#8221;on&#8221; auto_speed=&#8221;5000&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_slide heading=&#8221;Physical abuse signs and symptoms&#8221; arrows_custom_color=&#8221;#C10606&#8243; dot_nav_custom_color=&#8221;#C10606&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; header_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; body_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; background_enable_color=&#8221;on&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_transition=&#8221;on&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul class=\"\">\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Unexplained injuries, such as bruises, fractures or burns<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Injuries that don\u2019t match the given explanation<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Untreated medical or dental problems<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=&#8221;Emotional abuse signs and symptoms&#8221; arrows_custom_color=&#8221;#C10606&#8243; dot_nav_custom_color=&#8221;#C10606&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; header_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; body_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; background_enable_color=&#8221;on&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_transition=&#8221;on&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul class=\"\">\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Delayed or inappropriate emotional development<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Loss of self-confidence or self-esteem<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Social withdrawal or a loss of interest or enthusiasm<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Depression<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Headaches or stomach aches with no medical cause<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Avoidance of certain situations, such as refusing to go to school or ride the bus<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Desperately seeks affection<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">A decrease in school performance or loss of interest in school<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Loss of previously acquired developmental skills<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=&#8221;Sexual abuse signs and symptoms&#8221; arrows_custom_color=&#8221;#C10606&#8243; dot_nav_custom_color=&#8221;#C10606&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; header_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; body_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; background_enable_color=&#8221;on&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_transition=&#8221;on&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul class=\"\">\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Sexual behavior or knowledge that\u2019s inappropriate for the child\u2019s age<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Blood in the child\u2019s underwear<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Statements that he or she was sexually abused<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Trouble walking or sitting or complaints of genital pain<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Abuse of other children sexually<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=&#8221;Neglect signs and symptoms&#8221; arrows_custom_color=&#8221;#C10606&#8243; dot_nav_custom_color=&#8221;#C10606&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_text_align=&#8221;left&#8221; header_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; header_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; body_text_color=&#8221;#000000&#8243; background_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; background_enable_color=&#8221;on&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; sticky_transition=&#8221;on&#8221;]<\/p>\n<ul class=\"\">\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Poor growth or weight gain<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Poor hygiene<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Lack of clothing or supplies to meet physical needs<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Taking food or money without permission<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Eating a lot in one sitting or hiding food for later<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Poor record of school attendance<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Lack of appropriate attention for medical, dental or psychological problems or lack of necessary follow-up care<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Emotional swings that are inappropriate or out of context to the situation<\/li>\n<li style=\"text-align: left;\">Indifference<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_2_font_size=&#8221;40px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Parental Behavior<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes a parent\u2019s demeanor or behavior sends red flags about child abuse. Warning signs include a parent who:<\/p>\n<ul data-rte-list=\"default\" class=\"\">\n<li>Shows little concern for the child<\/li>\n<li>Appears unable to recognize physical or emotional distress in the child<\/li>\n<li>Denies that any problems exist at home or school, or blames the child for the problems<\/li>\n<li>Consistently blames, belittles or berates the child and describes the child with negative terms, such as \u201cworthless\u201d or \u201cevil\u201d<\/li>\n<li>Expects the child to provide him or her with attention and care and seems jealous of other family members getting attention from the child<\/li>\n<li>Uses harsh physical discipline or asks teachers to do so<\/li>\n<li>Demands an inappropriate level of physical or academic performance<\/li>\n<li>Severely limits the child\u2019s contact with others<\/li>\n<li>Offers conflicting or unconvincing explanations for a child\u2019s injuries or no explanation at all<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; fullwidth=&#8221;on&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;rgba(0,0,0,0.5)&#8221; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/attaca.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/485584783_676991508224460_6603873902511377445_n.jpg&#8221; background_blend=&#8221;darken&#8221; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=&#8221;Be A Hero for kids&#8221; text_orientation=&#8221;center&#8221; button_one_text=&#8221;Donate Today&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.5&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_level=&#8221;h2&#8243; title_font=&#8221;|600||on|||||&#8221; title_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; title_font_size=&#8221;40px&#8221; title_line_height=&#8221;1.5em&#8221; content_text_color=&#8221;#FFFFFF&#8221; background_enable_color=&#8221;off&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; title_text_shadow_style=&#8221;preset1&#8243; content_text_shadow_style=&#8221;preset1&#8243; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; button_one_url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.paypal.com\/donate\/?cmd=_s-xclick&#038;hosted_button_id=DRTPXSLQJY9A4&#038;source=url&#8221; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>You can support the cause of putting an end to child abuse by becoming a member of A.T.T.A.C.A.<\/p>\n<p>With your membership, you&#8217;ll receive a commemorative\u00a0<em>Challenge Coin<\/em><span>\u00a0<\/span>to carry with you or display that will remind you of our cause to Protect America&#8217;s Children. You&#8217;ll also receive an official A.T.T.A.C.A. decal that will look great on your truck, car, computer, toolbox, or anywhere else.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The mission of A.T.T.A.C.A is to bring awareness to the issue of child abuse. One of the things you can do to help is to be aware of signs and systems of abuse, so you are better able to spot them if you are around children. The following information is compiled from the Mayo Clinic. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"<!-- wp:divi\/placeholder \/-->","_et_gb_content_width":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-29","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/attaca.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/29","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/attaca.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/attaca.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/attaca.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/attaca.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=29"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/attaca.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/29\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":242,"href":"https:\/\/attaca.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/29\/revisions\/242"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/attaca.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=29"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}