Child Abuse and Legislation

Describe four physical and four behavioural indicators of child abuse by giving examples from the case scenario. The signs of child mistreatment are broken down into two classifications; the physical and behavioural indicators. Physical Indicators: When the child is suffering from serious injuries, mostly these injuries happen in certain patterns or occur often. These types of harm vary from strange lacerations to burns to fractures and bruises, welts and bite marks. Normally these are in different healing stages often appearing after weekends or absenteeism.

Head injuries: This can be noticed from absence of hair which indicate to aggressive hair pulling. Lacerations: Normally these are found on the back of the arms, legs and torso and lips. Always keep in mind the severity and frequency of these injuries. Burns: This type of injuries is normally conducted with scalding water immersion, rope burns on arms, ankles and neck and with cigarettes and are found on the soles of the feet, palms, the back side of the child’s body and can be done Fractures: This is type of injury is seen to jaw and or nasal structures, dislocations or the arms or legs and are normally discovered during the healing process.

Bruises, welts and bite marks: It depends on how frequent these injuries are and their location such as bruises on both eyes and or cheeks (accidents normally injure one side of the face). Visible grab marks on many areas of the skin such as on thighs and arms. Behavioural Indicators: The child’s behaviours, approaches and affections may display the chance of abuse and/ or neglect. Still, behavioural indicators alone are less accurate than physical abuse, as children’s attitudes may be the conclusion of a range of additional issues or circumstances that have nothing to do with mistreatment.

When certain changes in the child’s behaviour are being observed, always try to find a specific motif and repetitiveness of such new behaviour, and take note of the age and developmental stage. Fear of going home: The child might show certain behaviour or even say that he or she is terrified to go home because of fear of physical abuse by the parent or legal guardian. Reports injuries by parents: In some cases, the child may report about frequent physical abuse by the parent or legal guardian and most of the time the child blames his/herself stating that he or she was bad, so they were punished

Wearing inappropriate seasonal clothing: You may notice that the child is wearing inappropriate clothing such as long sleeves in summer to hide physical injuries of mistreatment. Displays extremes of a variety of behaviours: Children may show unusual aggressiveness or reserved from their peers. Show signs of uncertainty when other children cry, hostile to parents and others, cautious of contact with other adults and parents, sudden change in temper and under or over – reacting when an adult is angry.

K&U2

Describe the four theoretical models of child abuse learnt in class

Medical Model
One of the four theoretical models of abuse are the medical model. This was discovered by Kemp and Kemp two psychologists with their Battered Child Syndrome theory. The two believed that those who suffer from abuse also suffer from medical conditions and need a cure. It was also believed that abuse is a psychological condition and in most cases the cycle of abuse starts from the parents which are unable to properly raise their children, thus, this leads to the child to become the abuser.

Psychological Model
This model links the present abuse to the abuser’s past life experiences. A&A1
Outline at least three predisposing factors that individuals and families can go through which can contribute to the occurrence of child abuse.

K&U3

Describe by giving examples of two emotional, two social and two physical consequences of abuse that could affect Jeremy or other children who experience abuse. Support your description by proof of research.

K&U5

Describe the role of the keyworker with regards to the protection of children

A&A2

Child care practitioners are also legally responsible to professionally intervene in case of suspected abuse like the above. Outline three pieces of legislation relating to the protection of children which can guide practitioners in the above scenario

A&A3

Outline the principles of data protection that should be followed in the case of Jeremy and other cases where abuse is suspected.

References
Dorightbykids.org. (2017). What Are the Indicators of Possible Child Abuse and Neglect? — Child Abuse Reporting. [online] Available at: http://www.dorightbykids.org/how-do-i-recognize-child-abuse-and-neglect/what-are-the-indicators-of-possible-child-abuse-and-neglect# [Accessed 31 Oct. 2017].