Child Protection and Non-Accidental Injury

Question 1

list the different categories of abuse

Answer 1

• physical: bruising, burns, scalds, fractures, head trauma
• sexual
• emotional
• fabricated and induced illness
• neglect

Question 2

what are some common sites of non-accidental injury?

start from head and work way downwards

Answer 2

eyes
ears
cheeks
mouth
neck
shoulders
chest
upper arm
inner arm
backs of hands
stomach
genitals
buttocks
front, inner and back of thigh

Question 3

when could bruising indicate non-accidental injury?

Answer 3

• any bruise in non-mobile infant
• petechiae
• clusters
• extensive injuries with no explanation
• injury not consistent with history or developmental level
• location of bruise abnormal

Question 4

what is the most common cause of death by physical abuse?

Answer 4

• head trauma (shaken baby)

Question 5

define sexual abuse in children

Answer 5

• when a child or young person is sexually abused, forced or tricked into sexual activities.
• can be contact or non-contact abuse.

Question 6

what are some indicators of child sexual abuse?

Answer 6

• disclosure
• sexualised behaviour
• STI
• pregnancy

Question 7

what does a child sexual abuse/forensic examination involve?

Answer 7

• joint paediatrician/forensic medical examiner
• do not repeat interview
• video colposcope
• general physical exam
• developmental assessment

Question 8

definition of fabricated or induced illness

Answer 8

• fabrication: making up the symptoms of an illness
• induction: causing a child to become unwell

Question 9

what is the definition of neglect

Answer 9

• The ongoing failure to meet a child’s basic needs.
• Most common form of child abuse.

Question 10

definition of emotional abuse

Answer 10

• any type of abuse that involved the continual emotional mistreatment of a child.
• sometimes called psychological abuse.
• can involve deliberately trying to scare, humiliate, isolate or ignore a child.