When a child is abused in one way, they are often abused in multiple ways. Indeed, approximately two-thirds of maltreated children are violated in at least two ways*. This is called “polyvictimization,” and it underscores the need to pay attention to all forms of abuse. Signs of trauma, such as a child running away from home, are more strongly associated with polyvictims than children violated in one way.
*David Finkelhor, Heather Turner, Sherry Hamby and Richard Ormrod, Polyvictimization: Children’s Exposure to Multiple Types of Violence, Crime, and Abuse, National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence (OJJDP/CDC October 2011).