Physical abuse
Physical abuse is where the child is either hit, shaken, thrown, poisoned, burnt, scalded or the abuser attempts to drown the child. The administration of pessaries or suppositories by either untrained carers or without the child’s consent could also be considered physical abuse. The NSPCC estimates that one in fourteen children in the UK have been physically abused and that over 5,800 children in the UK were identified as needing protection from physical abuse in 2018.
The following signs may suggest physical abuse:
- Bruises on areas of the body that are not normally affected by accidental bruising or falls such as the cheeks, eyes, ears, inner arms, abdomen, groin or buttocks. It should be remembered that bruises may be present on areas that cannot be seen, which could make the child move in an unusual manner.
- Bruises that are in the shape of an object such as a stick, fingertips, hand, ligature or other implement such as a belt buckle. Tramline bruising can indicate beating with a rod shaped object such as a stick.
- Symmetrical burns or signs of burns inflicted by a hot object such as an iron or cigarette.
- Immersion burns where part of the body, for example the hands or feet, have been immersed in hot water, giving the appearance of sock or mitten shaped burns.
- Bites, fractures or non-accidental head injuries such as those incurred in shaken baby syndrome.
- Injuries that are not consistent with the explanation given for how the injury occurred, i.e. an abnormal explanation of an injury or not allowing the child to explain how the injury occurred themselves.
- Children who appear fearful or withdrawn.
- Parents or carers who are evasive or defensive when asked about a child’s injury.
- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)