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Physical abuse, a prevalent issue in child protection, involves any deliberate acts causing physical harm or injury to a child. This can encompass actions such as hitting, shaking, throwing, poisoning, burning, scalding, drowning, or suffocating. Children can experience various types of abuse, many of which have overlapping symptoms.
Common signs shared among various forms of abuse can include:
Signs of physical abuse in children may present themselves in various forms:
Visible injuries could include bruises, sprains, dislocations, fractures, burns and abrasions. Some injuries might show patterns indicative of abuse, such as marks resembling ropes or straps.
Internal injuries can be harder to detect, but symptoms may include unexplained pain, difficulty in functioning normally or unusual bleeding.
Certain types of bruises could indicate abuse. For instance, bruising on both arms could suggest the child was shaken, grabbed or restrained. Similarly, bruises on the inner thighs could suggest sexual abuse.
Multi-coloured bruises, healing wounds, traumatic hair or tooth loss, may suggest ongoing physical abuse.
Physical abuse should be suspected under certain circumstances, including:
These signs highlight the need for vigilance and prompt action when physical abuse is suspected. If you have any concerns about child safety, it is essential to report them to the appropriate authorities. A child's well-being must always be the primary concern, and we all have a role to play in ensuring their safety and protection.