In 2011, South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) officials report that the agency investigated 17,514 cases of abuse and/or neglect throughout the state. Of that number, 6,810 cases indicated some form of abuse occurred. Unfortunately, that number only reflects the incidents reported and indicated by the department. Many other incidents of abuse and neglect occur that are never reported and never investigated.

Child Abuse Prevention Month is an important opportunity to inform citizens to some of the possible signs of child abuse and neglect.

Abused children may show sudden changes in behavior or school performance. These possible signs of abused don’t prove a child is being abused or an adult is an abuser, DSS says, but they could be a signal that the child, the adult or the family needs help.

• Some signs of physical abuse include unexplained burns, bruises, black eyes or other injuries; apparent fear of the parent or caretaker and faded bruises or healing injuries after missing school.

• Some signs of sexual abuse include difficulty walking or sitting, or other indications of injury in the genital area; sexual knowledge or behavior beyond what is normal for the child’s age; and running away from home.

• Some signs of emotional abuse include acting overly mature or immature for the child’s age, extreme changes in behavior, delays in physical or emotional development, attempted suicide and a lack of emotional attachment to the parent.

• Some signs of neglect include missing school a lot, begging for or stealing money or food, lacking needed medical or dental care, being frequently dirty, using alcohol or other drugs and saying there is no one at home to take care of him or her.

• Possible signs of an abusive adult may include: seeming unconcerned about the child’s welfare at school or at home; denying problems at school or at home – or blaming the child for them; seeing the child as worthless or as a burden; avoiding discussing the child’s injuries or giving conflicting explanations of them; abusing alcohol or other drugs; seeming isolated from other parents and the school, and community activities; using harsh physical discipline or asking other caretakers to use it; depending on the child for emotional support; seeming indifferent to the child; seeming secretive or trying to isolate the child from other children; frequently blaming, belittling or insulting the child.

Many state and local children service agencies are working to make the public more aware of the issue and ways they can help stop or identify abuse. Share information throughout the community. Visit www.preventchildabuse.org; www.dss.sc.gov or http://www.scchildren.org/ for information and tips.

Anyone who suspects child abuse or neglect should report their concerns to the county Department of Social Services in the county where the child lives. State law mandates any professional who works with children, including people who work in education, medicine and law enforcement, to report suspected child abuse and neglect.