9. Child protection Flashcards
What are the different types of abuse?
Physical abuse Neglect Sexual abuse - including child exploitation and female genital mutilation Emotional abuse Fabricated and induced illness
What is physical abuse?
Give examples
Deliberately hurting a child, causing injuries such as bruises, broken bones, burns or cuts
Hitting Shaking Poisoning Burning or scalding Drowning Suffocating
What are the risk factors for physical abuse?
Unrelated adult male in the house Single, young mum Mental health problems Domestic violence Drug or alcohol abuse Previous parental police records Disabled child
What is meant by neglect?
This is a persistent failure to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs, likely to result in the serious impairment of the child’s health and development
Give examples of neglect
Lack of food, shelter and clothing
Fail to protect child from physical harm or danger
Fail to provide adequate supervision
Lack of access to appropriate medical care
What is meant by sexual abuse?
Forcing or enticing a child or young person to take part in sexual activities, including prostitution, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening
Give examples of sexual abuse
Physical contact with children
Looking at or producing pornographic material
Encouraging children to behave in sexually inappropriate ways
FGM
Grooming
Child sexual exploitation
What clinical presentations may suggest sexual abuse in a child?
Pregnancy
STI
Vaginal/rectal bleeding
Recurrent vulvo-vaginitis e.g. sore/red/itchy in the genital area, vaginal discharge
UTI/ dysuria/pain passing urine
Bedwetting/soiling
Behavioural problems/sexualised behaviour
What is the WHO definition of female genital mutilation?
All procedures involving partial or total removal of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genital organs whether for cultural or other non-therapuetic reasons
Has been illegal in the UK since 1985 Female Circumcision Prohibition Act
What is meant by emotional abuse?
To cause severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development
E.g. conveying to the child that they are worthless or unloved, inadequate, valued only insofar they meet the needs of another person
What is meant by radicalisation?
This is a form of emotional abuse
A process by which an individual or group comes to adopt increasingly extreme political, social or religious ideals
Can be both violent and nonviolent
What is the role of the doctor if child abuse is suspected?
Do a child protection report Must maintain a holistic approach: Assess for other medical problems Assess growth and development Ensure that the siblings are assessed
Which agencies are involved if child abuse is suspected and what are their roles?
Paediatrics - medical opinion on injuries, growth and development
Social services - background checks on family, collate information, legal/care proceedings
Police - criminal investigations
What are the different outcomes for children following investigation?
Taken into care e.g. foster home, children’s home
May stay with parents on child protection plan
May be classified as a child in need
The case may be closed - child abuse did not occur
