What is Child Abuse?
Child abuse constitutes all forms of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse that results in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity.
Physical abuse
Physical abuse is inflicting of physical injury on a child. The parent or caretaker may not have intended to hurt the child. It may, however, be the result of over-discipline or physical punishment that is inappropriate to the child’s age.
What constitutes physical abuse?
Any form of corporal punishment given to the child is physical abuse. This includes –
• Slapping
• Shaking
• Pinching
• Kicking
• Beating
• Pushing
• Burns
• Hitting on knuckles
• Pulling the child by hair, clothes etc
• Throwing things at a child
We can identify a child who has been physically abused through 2 parameters – physical indicators and emotional indicators.
Physical indicators
• Bite marks
• Unusual bruises – on the face, throat, upper arms, buttocks, thighs, or lower back
• Cuts
• Burns
• Swellings on face
• Discoloration of skin
• Injuries in sensitive locations (eyes, genitals)
• Pinch marks
• Cigarette burns. This type of burn is circular, and often found on the child’s palms, soles of feet, or abdomen.
• Immersion burns – Burns caused with burning hot water. These burns characteristically will show sharp lines of demarcation. On the hands and feet, burns can produce a “glove” or “stocking” pattern
Behavioral Indicators
• Aggression
• Unusual shyness
• Belief that punishment is deserved
• Suggestion that other children should be punished in a harsh manner
• Depression
• Excessive crying
• Attempt to hide injuries / wears clothing to purposely conceal injury, i.e. long sleeves
• Avoids physical contact with others
• Refuses to undress for gym or for required physical exams at school
• Seems frightened by parents
• Often late or absent from school
• Comes early to school, seems reluctant to go home afterwards
• Overly compliant – gives in readily and allows others to do for him/her without protest
• Withdrawn
• Plays aggressively, often hurting peers
• Complains of pain upon movement or contact
Sexual Abuse
According to the World Health Organization, Child sexual abuse occurs when a child less than 18 years of age, is involved in a sexual activity that he or she does not fully understand, is unable to give informed consent to, is forced to , or for which the child is not developmentally prepared.
Note: For a detailed module with plans,methodology and effective implementation kindly contact Dr Rosetta Williams. Email id:-rosetta.williams@hotmail.com. Contact Number-98102