Section 2: Understanding the different indicators of abuse

Section 2: Understanding the different indicators of abuse

In this section you will learn:

• What the different types of abuse are.

• How to recognise the signs and indicators of abuse.

Section introduction

Working Together to Safeguard Children (2018) defines abuse as: “Form of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. Children may be abused in a family or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them, or more rarely, by others. They may be abused by an adult or adults, or another child or children”. The NSPCC explains that children and young people find it very difficult to talk about or disclose abuse. It is important that the adult is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse so they can act on behalf of the child.

Cyber bullying

With such widespread use of social media and mobile phones amongst children and young people, there is so much more ‘hidden’ bullying that can happen outside of the school or activity day. This bullying can be relentless to the child or young person being targeted and not all adults will understand or be able to access where it could be taking place. As practitioners we must be vigilant to the signs of cyber bullying.

The types of abuse that may be faced by a child or young person and the signs and indicators of the abuse

There are 4 types of abuse: physical, emotional, sexual, neglect. In addition, there is also bullying which is becoming more recognised as a type of abuse in its own right. The table below explains each of these, but also identifies the signs and indicators that you should be aware of and look out for in a child or young person.

Type of abuse

Physical abuse

Emotional abuse Explanation

Physical abuse, or nonaccidental injury, involve deliberate harm of the child or young person. Children can often have bruises due to physical activity and in most cases certain marks or injuries can be explained. However, bite marks, marks that look like shapes of objects such as hands, belt marks and ligatures should always raise your suspicion. Another form of physical abuse is fabrication of illness by a parent or guardian of a child. This may lead to medication being taken by a child unnecessarily. Additionally, a parent may purposefully induce an illness on a child or symptoms of an illness on a child.

It is important to remember that children and young people will have a range of emotional needs and periods of distress and stress as they grow up. Abuse is the continuous emotional mistreatment of a child which leads to damage in a child’s emotional development, esteem, and confidence. Emotional abuse can take the form of ridicule, mocking, verbal abuse or continuous insults. Emotional abuse happens when the expectation of the child by an adult is unsuitable for that child’s age and ability but is pushed upon the child. It happens when the child is prevented from engaging in normal social interaction with others and controlling behaviours. Additionally, emotional abuse is when a child is not protected from witnessing the mistreatment of others. For example, in a domestic violence situation. Possible indicators

• Unusual bruising • Bite marks • Cuts • Cigarette burns, scalding water or objects such as irons • Fractures • Aggressive behaviour • Fear of a certain adult • Withdrawn.

• Attention seeking behaviours • Low self-esteem and confidence • Tantrums that are not usual for the child’s age • Lying • Stealing • Withdrawn from play and activities.

Sexual abuse Sexual abuse is encouraging a child to engage in, engaging in with a child, or watching a child engage in any sexual activity for the adult’s own sexual gratification. This includes sexual intercourse, sexual touching, pornography and encouraging children to engage in self-touching of sexual areas for the adult to watch or touching the child inappropriately. It also involves asking children to view inappropriate images or videos. • Bruises or scratches like those of physical abuse • Itching or pain in genital area • Discharge • Toileting accidents • Poor self-esteem and lack of confidence • Regression • Withdrawn and solitary behaviour.

Neglect Neglect is when the child or young person’s carer continues to not meet the child or young person’s basic physiological and psychological needs. It can lead to a child’s development and • When a child is underweight • Wearing unwashed clothes • Poor skin tone

Bullying wellbeing becoming severely impaired. This may include not providing sufficient nutrition, hydration, warmth and heat, clothing. Neglect can also occur to an unborn baby if during pregnancy a mother abuses drugs or alcohol when pregnant, when medical care is not sought when a child is ill or leaving a child alone without adequate care.

Children may bully others because they feel inadequate in themselves. It is important to be vigilant against name-calling, instances of hitting, pushing or biting, as this can intensify into a campaign of bullying. There is also cyberbullying, which is more and more common when children and young people have mobile phones and join social media sites. • Unwashed and unbrushed hair • Being tired, hungry and lacking energy • Parents who are unresponsive to feedback or questions about their child or who are drunk or appear to be on drugs when they drop off or pick up children.

• Not wanting to attend the sessions • Changes in behaviour, sleeping and eating patterns • Feels unwell each morning • Bruising, biting and scratches • Missing or damaged belongings • Excluded from groups or activities.

Fabricated illness

This is a type of abuse where a parent or carer may falsify an illness of their child to seek medical help and attention. Fabricated illness is a type of physical abuse where a child may be given drugs to treat an illness that does not exist. In more serious cases, a child may be given drugs that make them have symptoms of sickness or illness.