3.2 Child Protection Flashcards
What is child abuse?
Physical and psychological damage caused by abusive behaviour, or failure of other to protect
Why is child protection so hard?
Infringes on cherished territory of parents’ rights to raise children as they see fit vs. child’s right to a safe and loving environment
What are the rope 4 forms of abuse in Australia?
Emotional
Neglect
Physical
Sexual
Reportable concerns?
Physical abuse Neglect Emotional/psychological Sexual Living with domestic violence
When MUST you report a child’s living situation?
If living away from home without parental permission
Helpful decision tree for mandatory reporting?
Mandatory Reporters Guide, NSW website
How to effectively report?
-Name the abuse and significant harm factor
- list statements/indicators that led you to this concern
- how long
- detail and issues
- mandatory reporters guide
- indicate outcome you would like
When tell the parent about a report
Usually not
If good relationship and a report will help them get more services/common goal
Difficulties in thinking about abuse?
- Families we like or are like us
- don’t want to accuse
- proving emotional abuse/neglect
- court/legal
- confidentiality patient/doctor relationship
Do you have to prove it before you report it?
No, just describe it.
Most deadly form of physical child abuse?
Inflicted head injury
Red flags for abuse?
- Delay in presentation
- history
- fell from low couch, but major head injuries
- inconsistent with developmental ability, rolled off when can’t roll
- unexplained/unwitnessed falls(neglect)
- suspicious, sibling did it
- resuscitation efforts - shake them to revive
What do we know about sexual harm?
Not one off
Abuser known to child
Grooming process
Children accommodate
Effects of trauma expousure 3 main areas
Attachment
Biology
Mood regulation
When should GP be concerned?
- numerous minor injuries and ‘accidents’
- behavioural problems/ADHD, toileting, poor concentration, defiance
