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
LO4.2 - How to deal with disclosures of abuse and suspected abuse
What is meant by ‘maintaining confidentiality’?
LO4.2 - How to deal with disclosures of abuse and suspected abuse
maintaining confidentiality:
- crucial
- not promising that it can be kept a secret
- reporting/recording; kept in a safe place
LO4.2 - How to deal with disclosures of abuse and suspected abuse
What is meant by ‘protect self’?
LO4.2 - How to deal with disclosures of abuse and suspected abuse
protect self:
- not questioning individual
- not confronting
- listen attentively
- if it’s upsetting/stressful for the person listening, get additional support
LO4 - How to deal with suspicions & disclosures; Past Exam Questions
A teacher finds Jamie, aged 14, crying in the school toilets. Jamie tells the teacher that his father hits him when he gets angry. (Jan ‘17)
(a) How should the teacher respond to this situation? Choose the three most appropriate actions from the list below:
- arrange to meet with Jamie’s father the next day
- record what has happened as soon as possible
- ask him why he thinks his father does this
- ask Jamie to go home and write down what has happened
- offer to take Jamie somewhere safe immediately
- notify the school’s child protection officer as soon as possible
[3]
(b)* justify your choice of answers for question (a)
[6]
LO4 - How to deal with suspicions & disclosures; Past Exam Questions
(a)
from the list, the three that are the most appropriate actions are:
- record what has happened as soon as possible
- offer to take Jamie somewhere safe immediately
- notify the school’s protection officer as soon as possible
(b) *
record what has happened as soon as possible
> allows others to access the info when needed
> a policy/legal requirements
> recording of facts than opinion
> staff protected from accusations
offer to take Jamie somewhere safe immediately > needs medical attention > in distress > need for safety > access counselling/support
notify the school’s child protection officer as soon as possible
> need to know basis
> other services may have to be informed/contacted, e.g. police
> check procedures/seek advice
> teacher to receive help/support
LO4 - How to deal with suspicions & disclosures; Past Exam Questions
(Jan ‘20)
Jamal. aged 10, is being abused, but is too embarrassed to tell his peers
Identify two other non-professionals that Jamal might tell about his abuse
[2]
LO4 - How to deal with suspicions & disclosures; Past Exam Questions
any two from:
- family (family members)
- sibling(s)/brother(s)/sister(s)
- other members of the public, e.g. neighbours
- friends
LO4 - How to deal with suspicions & disclosures; Past Exam Questions
(Jan ‘20)
Describe likely effects of the following types of abuse on Jamal
- Sexual abuse
- Exploitation
[6]
LO4 - How to deal with suspicions & disclosures; Past Exam Questions
Sexual abuse: Physical effects - > bleeding > bruises > pain > stressed/ill health (STIs) effects of this experience may bring on illnesses, depression
Emotional/psychological - > changes in behaviour/mood swings > fear (may be out of undressing) > suicidal thoughts > low self-esteem > depressed feels low, hard to motivate themselves, fear of undressing
Social -
> social withdrawn
> fear of others
> inappropriate sexualised behaviour
Intellectual -
> may not attend school/fall behind in homework + schoolwork
> self-fulfilling prophecy
begin to believe what they’ve been told + how they’ve been treated
Exploitation (mate crime): Physical effects - > loss of money > injuries > cuts > scars
Emotional/psychological - > withdrawal from contact w/ friends > isolation > changes in activities > shyness > malnourishment > may go on to abuse others > failure to thrive
Social -
> fear of contacting others
> withdrawal from groups/activities
> unwillingly to make/discuss plans
> disappearance from social network groups
> loss of contact w/ friends
> long term psychological effects, e.g. trust
Intellectual -
> being behind in work
> less development of cognitive/intellectual skills
LO4 - How to deal with suspicions & disclosures; Past Exam Questions
(Jan ‘20)
The nurse at Jamal’s school is told about the abuse. She supports and comforts Jamal
Describe two other appropriate actions the nurse should take
[6]
LO4 - How to deal with suspicions & disclosures; Past Exam Questions
any two from:
- duty to report
> as soon as possible, report the info
> inform Jamal of her duty - report appropriately
> using school’s policies
> informing child protection officers/Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), NSPCC, local authorities, police/safeguarding team
> report to management - reporting procedures
> recording info accurately
> using school’s forms/systems - do not judge
> not taking sides
> keep to factual info
> do not assure him everything will be fine - maintain confidentiality
> need to know basis (ensures no info is leaked out)
> using policies to check procedures
> take them to a place of safety whilst in school - protect self
> ensure she’s not at risk
> e.g. when comforting Jamal, the nurse should only use words
no physical contact should take place
