Physical abuse is that which causes or exacerbates physical harm. It would include such actions as:
Physical assaults that do not involve the use of a weapon or other implement; kicking, punching, slapping, pushing, pinching, scratching, shaking, pulling hair, spitting etc.
Use of an implement or weapon or throwing things; household items not normally considered to be weapons, DIY tools, knives or other kitchen implements etc.
Burning or scalding
Choking, strangling
Poisoning including over medicating, inappropriate use of medicine, alcohol etc. (for example to “help the child to sleep”) and also including such things as salt poisoning
Withholding or withdrawing medical treatments or attention
Starvation, withholding drinks etc. so as to cause malnutrition or dehydration
Force feeding, causing excessive obesity through overfeeding / inappropriate diet
Inappropriate or rough handling, including when performing personal care or administering first aid (eg removing a plaster forcefully so as to cause tearing of the skin)
The use of excessive force or inappropriate restraint
Bullying that involves physical harm
Physical abuse can happen antenatally through substance misuse etc.
Signs and indicators of potential physical abuse would include:
Bruising
Burns
Cuts/ lacerations
Fractures or breaks
Black eye
Untreated medical need (eg. skin conditions, nappy rash ect)
Stench of urine/ faeces
Drowsiness/ excessive sleep
Loss of weight
Hunger/ Thirst
Wearing extra layers of clothes
Aggressive/ violent behaviours
Withdrawn, anxious, flinching in specific situations or with specific people
Examples of factors which could cause confusion would include:
Mongolian Blue Spot
Brittle bones
Leukaemia
Other medical conditions
NB. It is not illegal (in England) for a parent to smack a child so long as the smack does not leave a lasting mark (e.g. not lasting more than 5 minutes or so). If the smack causes bruising it is excessive and is abuse and smacking in inappropriate places (e.g. head) is abuse.
NB. The considered decision not to have a child vaccinated is not abuse but failing to attend appointments may indicate neglect.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse involves forcing, enticing or coercing a child into engaging in sexual activity or exposing a child to sexual materials or activity, whether or not the child is aware of the significance of what is happening. This would include:
Forcing, coercing or enticing a child into sexual activity including grooming a child in preparation for abuse
Physical sexual contact; rape (vaginally, orally or anally), penetration with an object, inappropriate touching / rubbing, fondling (whether inside or outside of the clothing), kissing, masturbation etc
Non-contact activities; the viewing or production of sexual images, watching sexual activities, encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways, grooming a child in preparation for abuse
Sexualised language or conversation and lack of appropriate boundaries and privacy
Sexual harassment
Indecent exposure
Voyeurism
Exploitation, causing someone to enter into prostitution
Satanic or ritual abuse
Bestiality
Signs and indicators of potential sexual abuse would include:
Genital or urinary irritation or bruising in the genital area
Frequent infections, pain or itching in the genital area
Bleeding from the anus or vagina
Sexually transmitted infections
Stains on underwear or nightwear
Wetting / soiling
Bruising in inner thighs or upper arms
Difficulty in walking and or sitting
Wearing extra clothing
Depression
Role play
Sexualised language or behaviour that is inappropriate for age or developmental stage
Nightmares/flashbacks
Agitation, upset or withdrawal from any physical contact
Examples of factors which could cause confusion would include:
Medical conditions or infections
Excessive masturbation
Age / developmentally appropriate inquisitiveness, exploration and play
Emotional Abuse
The persistent emotional maltreatment of a child resulting in ongoing severe adverse effects on emotional development, sense of security, identity and self- confidence. This would include:
Making a child feel afraid, intimidated anxious or ridiculed including domineering behaviour
Threatening the child, someone else, threatening to harm pets etc.
Verbal abuse; shouting, name calling, swearing, use of inappropriate nicknames or descriptions etc.
Causing a sense of worthlessness or inadequacy, including constant comparison (e.g. why cant you be more like…)
Making a child feel unloved or only conditionally loved (eg making a child feel that they are only valued or loved insofar as they meet the needs or expectations of someone else)
Suppressing or denying the opportunity for the child to express their views, intentionally silencing them, ridiculing them for their views or beliefs or for the way they communicate
Expectations that are age or developmentally inappropriate are imposed on the child (over expectation or overprotectiveness that denies or impedes the child’s development)
Signs and indicators of potential emotional abuse would include:
Excessive fear or anxiety
Flinching in the presence of a particular person or in a particular circumstances
Unusual patterns of crying, weeping, sobbing ect
Low self-esteem
Insomnia, sleep deprivation or the need for excessive sleep
Change in appetite
Unusual or unexplained weight loss or gain
Paranoia
Mood swings, changes in mood or behaviour
Withdrawal and inability or discomfort with social situations and interactions
Examples of factors which could cause confusion would include:
Death or illness in the family
Family relationship breakdown
Family stress or specific family issues
Medical or psychological conditions
Death of a pet
Neglect
Neglect is the persistent and ongoing failure to meet the basic physical and/or psychological needs of the child to the extent that it is likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health or development. This would include:
Failure to provide the basic necessities of life such as adequate food, clothing, shelter
Failure to protect a child from physical or emotional danger
Abandonment, being left “home alone”, inadequate supervision (including inappropriate or inadequate care givers)
Failure to provide adequate medical care (attending appointments, administering medications and / or treatments)
Unresponsiveness to a child’s basic emotional, psychological or developmental needs
Can occur antenatally through such things as maternal substance misuse
Signs and indicators would include:
Significant needs persistently unmet
Poor physical care
Lack of food / drink inappropriate or inadequate diet
Failure to access medical care or to follow medical advice / instruction
Inappropriate clothing
Poor hygiene
Lack or supervision Isolation, ignoring, exclusion
Lack of heating / lighting
Leaving a child to lie in faeces / urine
Not aiding communication or providing adequate stimulation
Failure to meet cultural, religious or social needs
Neglecting pets
Examples of factors which could cause confusion would include: