All children have accidents, like bumps and falls, which cause injury. However, you may have reasons for thinking that an injury has been inflicted on purpose if: • an injury strikes you as odd • a child is injured repeatedly • a parent delays seeking treatment • a parent or child gives unconvincing or inconsistent explanations about an injury. Indicators in the context of safeguarding are Physical abuse, bruises to the eyes, mouth, or ears, grasp mark, and bruises of different ages in the same place. Outline bruises e.g. hand prints, belts or shoes.
We may notice physical signs or changes in a child’s behaviour, or the child may hint or disclose to us that they are being abused or bullied. We must also think about how we would respond if a child were to hint or disclose this to us. Always: * report concerns about possible signs or changes in behaviour to the designated person or manager * take what children say seriously – it will take a lot of courage to tell us and children will rarely lie about abuse * reassure children that they are not to blame if they tell us they have been abused * tell children that we will have to tell someone who can help them * write down what we have observed or what has been said – but keep
The Psychodynamic application and treatment of antisocial personality disorder is linked with the assumption that the sufferers are born into dysfunctional families with physical abuse tendencies, cruel, and are emotionally turbulent (Akhtar, 1992). Consequentially, children that are born into this type of aforementioned family setting may experience helplessness feelings especially when their parents are unleashing barrages of anger and violence on them. As a result, such child may resort into using defense mechanism of identification with the
Physical abuse This is when a child is being physically abused this could include hitting, smacking, punching, kicking or include objects being thrown at them. This causes pain to them and leaves marks- this type of abuse can even lead to death The signs and symptoms of abuse include- -marks on the body -refusal to undress -running away from home -fear of physical contact -distressed -not wanting to do any medical examination Some marks you see on children can be just genuine injuries as children are always bound to have accidents. However this does not mean that we can’t keep an eye on them. In my setting if a child has a mark on their body whether it being suspicious or not we ask the parent what they did- most parents tell you before you ask and the majority of the time you are like yes okay that fine sometimes you may thing that they are not telling you the truth. If we have a child having repeat marks on their body or suspicious marks then we body map this and store it.
Safeguarding – Types of abuse. There are many different types of abuse you need to look out for, this small booklet will give you the knowledge you need when suspecting a certain abuse & how to handle this situation. Physical Abuse Physical Abuse happens when an individual is physically hurt by the persons who are responsible for their care. Such as hitting, biting, burning, scalding or shaking the victim. In pregnancy an unborn child can be harmed by domestic violence.
For example, “The emotional responses of children who witness domestic violence may include fear, guilt, shame, sleep disturbances, sadness, depression, and anger (Domestic Violence Round Table, 2015).” It is evidently clear that children who come from abusive families may incur problems later in life as they establish and build personal and private relationships. For example, children that are exposed to their mother who is verbally, physically, or sexually abused may develop problematic relationships because of experienced aggression. This aggression may be taken out on peers, or even their own mother. When a child continuously is a witness in seeing their mother abused in any way, chances are they may display or express
There are so many signs and symptoms of children getting bullied and I personally have experienced all of them. The child could come home with unexplainable injuries and even damaged articles of clothing and not want to tell the truth about what happened. This one I used a lot; finds excuses to avoid going to school, and is often sick or comes up with different excuses. After a while the child might lose interest in friends or participating in school activities or even any kind of activity. The victim could feel helpless, like they mean nothing to a certain person or people.
The ‘medical’ model looks at the child for a diagnosis such as ADHD or depression. It sees the problem as being inherent to the child. Medication or behavioural therapy may be prescribed to modify the child’s behaviour [Woodhead, M et al 2005]. Alternatively there is the ‘social environment’ perspective. In this model the causes of the child’s disturbed behaviour are sought in their daily surroundings- poor or abusive parenting, neglect or lack of discipline in school.
Reactive attachment disorder is one of the possible consequences of this psychological trauma. Many children in foster care exhibit signs and symptoms of attachment issues. The purpose of this paper is to define reactive attachment disorder, review attachment theory, explore the development of attachment in children, review signs and symptoms of reactive attachment disorder, and explore the different treatment approaches. Definition of Reactive Attachment Disorder Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) has been defined as a childhood disorder with a variety of adverse behavioral consequences including the inability to form normal relationships with manifestations such as poor eye contact, abnormal eating habits, attempting to control by using power struggles, chronic lying, and stealing. These children also exhibit poor impulse control.
Complete the table below identifying the main characteristics for each form of abuse. (It may help you to think about both physical and behavioural signs of abuse). Physical Physical Indicators - *Unexplained bruises or injuries * Has linear bruising, especially when seen on buttocks, legs, arms and back * Has injuries where children don’t normally- on face, legs, bottom or torso * Has bruising in various stages of healing especially when on different body parts * Has bruises in shape of a object, a hand, shoe, iron, stick, belt etc. * Has fading bruises or other marks noticeable after an absence from school Behavioural Indicators - * Reports injury by parent or another adult care giver * Provides difficult to believe explanations for injuries * Has difficulty sitting, complains of soreness, or moves uncomfortably * Wears clothing to cover body especially when inappropriate to weather * Reports mistreatment of animals in the home * Becomes withdrawn, aggressive or self-destructive * Is bullied or is a bully * Routinely arrives at school early or stays late * Is overly compliant, an over achiever or overly responsible * Seems frightened of the parents; appears afraid of being at home * Is always watchful and alert – as though preparing for something bad to happen * Has learning problems * Has behaviour changes just prior to going home from school or when picked up * Is wary of adult contact; changes or flinches when others get close * Chronic runaway * Engages in violent or dangerous behaviour Sexual Physical Indicators - * Reports sexual abuse by parent or another adult caregiver * Has difficulty walking or