LO4; Understand how to deal with suspected abuse and disclosures of abuse Flashcards
LO4.1 - People who might suspect or be told about abuse
Why would an individual disclose abuse to their peers?
LO4.1 - People who might suspect or be told about abuse
Peers:
- may find it easier to tell them
- may feel their friend(s) will believe + listen to them
- can use their own lang + terminology
LO4.1 - People who might suspect or be told about abuse
Why would an individual disclose abuse to their family?
LO4.1 - People who might suspect or be told about abuse
Family:
- source of emotional support
- turn to someone they trust + feel comfortable w/
- family may have already noticed that behaviour has changed, so may already suspect something
LO4.1 - People who might suspect or be told about abuse
Why would an individual disclose abuse to their sibling(s)?
LO4.1 - People who might suspect or be told about abuse
Sibling(s):
- older sibling may be looked up/seen as a role model
- look up + confide in
- may notice something + start to suspect
LO4.1 - People who might suspect or be told about abuse
Why would an individual disclose abuse to their teacher(s)?
LO4.1 - People who might suspect or be told about abuse
Teacher(s):
- role involves monitoring learning + development so may notice behaviour changes
- a good student and teacher relationship, so may confide in them
- might find individual when upset/anxious
LO4.1 - People who might suspect or be told about abuse
Why would an individual disclose abuse to their social worker(s)?
LO4.1 - People who might suspect or be told about abuse
Social worker(s):
- qualified + trained to identify abuse
- may receive suspicions of abuse from other professionals, e.g. GPs, teacher, etc
- often only main contact for individual
- can identify when something is wrong
LO4.1 - People who might suspect or be told about abuse
Why would an individual disclose abuse to other professionals?
LO4.1 - People who might suspect or be told about abuse
Other professionals:
- doctors, nurses, health visitors may suspect abuse, while carrying out their own roles
- trained to identify signs + symptoms, esp. if they’re seeing them regularly
- private appointment environment where they’re more likely to disclose
LO4.1 - People who might suspect or be told about abuse
Why would an individual disclose abuse to other members of the public?
LO4.1 - People who might suspect or be told about abuse
Other members of the public:
- e.g. neighbours may notice changes in behaviour
- may not have seen them in a while, or may be withdrawn when talking to them
LO4.2 - How to deal with disclosures of abuse and suspected abuse
What should an individual do when dealing with a disclosure?
LO4.2 - How to deal with disclosures of abuse and suspected abuse
Do’s:
- stay calm
- listen carefully
- be sympathetic
- be aware that medical evidence may be needed
- explain to the individual that you must tell someone appropriate
Tell the person:
- they did a right/good thing
- you’re treating the disclosure seriously
- it wasn’t their fault
LO4.2 - How to deal with disclosures of abuse and suspected abuse
What should an individual should not do when dealing with a disclosure?
LO4.2 - How to deal with disclosures of abuse and suspected abuse
Don’ts:
- looed shocked/disgust
- promise to keep a secret
- make promises that can’t be kept
- gossip about what you’ve been told
- press for details
LO4.2 - How to deal with disclosures of abuse and suspected abuse
What actions should the individual take after a disclosure of abuse?
LO4.2 - How to deal with disclosures of abuse and suspected abuse
Action taken:
1) duty to report
2) report appropriately
3) reporting procedures
4) support + comfort
5) don’t judge
6) maintaining confidentiality
7) protect self
LO4.2 - How to deal with disclosures of abuse and suspected abuse
What is meant by ‘duty to report’?
LO4.2 - How to deal with disclosures of abuse and suspected abuse
duty to report:
- don’t ignore signs that an individual may be at risk
- duty to not delay any suspicions/disclosures
- ensures the individual is protected from any further harm
LO4.2 - How to deal with disclosures of abuse and suspected abuse
What is meant by ‘report appropriately’?
LO4.2 - How to deal with disclosures of abuse and suspected abuse
report appropriately:
- each organisation will have its own procedures
- familiarise with these procedures, so when reporting disclosures, they know what to do + its in line with their organisation’s procedures
- report to named person/people
LO4.2 - How to deal with disclosures of abuse and suspected abuse
What is meant by ‘reporting procedures’?
LO4.2 - How to deal with disclosures of abuse and suspected abuse
reporting procedures:
- will include more info about the action, the organisation expects you to take
- e.g. how evidence is preserved, record details accurately, other witnesses
LO4.2 - How to deal with disclosures of abuse and suspected abuse
What is meant by ‘support and comfort’?
LO4.2 - How to deal with disclosures of abuse and suspected abuse
support + comfort:
- individual may feel distressed, anxious, or angry
- worried about what will happen to the abuser, esp. if it’s a family member
- reassure what will happen next
- remain calm, ensure right to speak out
LO4.2 - How to deal with disclosures of abuse and suspected abuse
What is meant by ‘don’t judge’?
LO4.2 - How to deal with disclosures of abuse and suspected abuse
don’t judge:
- some may have not disclosed for years, fear of not being believed/judged
- don’t express doubts
