Physical Abuse
Occurs when a child suffers a non accidental injury that may include severe beatings, burns, fractures, bruises, welts, or other physical problems.
Physical Indicators
Unexplained bruises and welts
- on face, lips, mouth
- on torso, back, buttocks, thighs
- in various stages of healing
- clustered, forming regular patterns
(e.g., electrical cord, belt)
- on several different surface areas
- regularly appear after absence, weekend, or vacation
Unexplained fractures/dislocations
- to skull, nose, facial structure
- in various stages of healing
- multiple or spinal fracture
- cigar, cigarette burns, especially on soles, palms, backs, or buttocks
- immersion burns (sock-like, glove-like, doughnut-shaped on buttocks or genitals)
- infected burns, indicating delay in seeking treatment
Bald patches on the scalp
Behavioral Indicators
- feels deserving of punishment
- wary of adult contact
- apprehensive when others cry
- behavioral extremes:
- aggressiveness
- withdrawal
- frightened of parents
- afraid to go home
- reports injury by parent
- vacant or frozen stare
- lies very still while surveying surroundings
- responds to questions in monosyllables
- inappropriate or precocious maturity
- manipulative behavior to get attention, capable of only superficial relationships
- indiscriminately seeks affection
- poor self-concept
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