It is important to remember that not every single bruise or graze means someone is being abused or harmed, the occassional bruised arm or grazed knee does not mean there is abuse taken place. Some people are very accident prone, but it is important to recognise and keep note of bruising that appears to be in unusual places and the shape and size of bruising. 

The most common signs that someone is being physically abused include:

• Bruises, hand prints, finger tip marks

• Broken or fractured bones and history of broken and fractured bones

• Burns or scalds

• Lacerations on the body or the mouth

• Bite marks

• Scarring

• Being frightened of others especially adults or parents

• Shrinking away from approaching adults 

• Injuries in different stages of healing 

• Becoming withdrawn

• Behavioural problems such as crying, screaming, quietness, hurting others, hurting themselves

• witnessing remarks such as 'Don't hurt me' when they do something wrong