Changes: Child physical abuse

Revision as of 14:13, 31 December 2009

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Childhood physical abuse refers to the physical abuse of a child

Incidence

In the UK a large-scale survey of young adults by the NSPCC showed that seven per cent had, as children, suffered serious physical abuse, defined as violence causing injury or occurring regularly throughout childhood.^{[citation needed]}

Effects

Signs

Most children acquire small quite routinely, reflecting part of the rough and tumble of daily life, and injuries should always be interpreted in light of the child's medical and social history, developmental stage and the explanation given. But physical abuse may have occurred when one or more of the following apply. Any child with unexplained signs of pain or illness should be seen promptly by a doctor.

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in the UK have identified the following signs as requiring further profesional investigation

Physical signs

injuries which the child cannot explain, or explains unconvincingly
injuries which have not been treated or have been treated inadequately
injuries on parts of the body where accidental injury is unlikely, such as the cheeks, chest or thighs
bruising in babies and in children who are not independently mobile
bruising to the face, back, abdomen, arms, buttocks, ears and hands
bruising which reflects an imprint – of an implement or cord, or hand or finger marks
multiple bruises – in clusters or of uniform shape
human bite marks
fractures in children under 18 months
fractures that are inconsistent with the child's developmental stage
scalds, especially those with upward splash marks where hot water has been deliberately thrown over the child, or tide marks – rings on the child's arms, legs or body where the child has been made to sit or stand in very hot water
multiple burns, burns with a clearly demarcated edge and burns affecting unusual areas of the body such as the back, shoulders or buttocks.

Behavioural signs

reluctance to have their parents contacted
aggressive behaviour or severe temper outbursts
running away or showing fear of going home
flinching when approached or touched
reluctance to get undressed for sporting or other activities where changing into other clothes is normal
covering arms and legs even when hot
depression or moods which are out of character with the child's general behaviour
unnatural compliance with parents or carers.

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 ==Incidence==
-A large-scale survey of young adults by the NSPCC showed that seven per cent had, as children, suffered serious [[physical abuse]], defined as violence causing injury or occurring regularly throughout childhood.{{citation needed}}
+In the UK a large-scale survey of young adults by the NSPCC showed that seven per cent had, as children, suffered serious [[physical abuse]], defined as violence causing injury or occurring regularly throughout childhood.{{citation needed}}
 ==Effects==