Did you know that one in seven children in America faces child abuse and neglect?
An unfortunate truth is that these numbers are likely underreported. Once you factor in the abuse of other vulnerable populations like the elderly and people with disabilities, the amount of Americans who are harmed skyrockets.
If you’re passionate about social justice, then you might be wondering what you can do to make the world a safer place for everyone. Keep reading this guide so you can understand the top signs that someone is getting neglected and needs help.
Unexplained Injuries
One of the most common signs of neglect is unexplained injuries that occur on a somewhat regular basis. Bruises, burns, cuts, broken bones, dislocations, and even redness from restraints can all indicate abuse.
If the abuser goes too far, then this could lead to the tragic loss of life. You should check out wrongful death claims explained here to understand the facts.
Changes in Behavior
People who suffer from abuse start to undergo changes in their personality due to fear and frustration. As a result, a person who’s normally happy may start acting withdrawn, lash out at others, or appear anxious more often.
These changes can be subtle at first. You have to keep a watchful eye on everyone in your community to ensure that they’re happy and safe.
Unsanitary Living Conditions
A big aspect of child rights is giving every kid a living environment that’s clean and healthy. If a child, older person, or disabled person seems to have poor hygiene, then you need to monitor the actions of their caregivers.
Soiled clothes, bad odors, dirty hair, and even bug bites could all be signs that someone does not have a suitable home.
Signs of Social Isolation
Whether you’re fighting for disability justice or other human rights, you should always be on the lookout for individuals who are becoming isolated. Abusers want to hide the evidence of what they’re doing and reduce the risk of their victim asking for help by keeping others away.
If you start seeing less and less of someone, then try to be as present as possible so you can protect them.
New Problems With Money
A lesser-known form of abuse is ruining someone’s finances. This type of abuse is common for elderly people since they may have substantial life savings.
If someone who relies on a caregiver starts having money problems, then you should be immediately suspicious. Try to learn more about their issues so you can get to the bottom of what’s happening.
Neglect Can Present Itself in Many Different Ways
It’s sad to live in a world where some people abuse others, but learning about advocacy can allow you to make positive changes in society. Now that you understand the top signs of neglect, you can help protect vulnerable communities.
Would you like to learn more about how you can enhance your lifestyle and help others do the same? Take a look at our other blog posts.
