ABDULLAHI HALIMAT
40134968
P3:Explain the factors that would lead to suspicion of child maltreatment or abuse
In this assessment I will be explaining factors that would lead to suspicion of
child maltreatment or abuse and also be talking about theories of abuse.
What is Abuse ?
Abuse is when someone causes us harm or distress. It can take many forms,
ranging from disrespect to causing someone physical or mental pain. It can
occur in someone’s home, a care home, hospital or a public place. Often the
people who commit abuse are taking advantage of a special relationship.
They may be a family member, friend or paid carer who we expect to trust.
Sometimes abuse isn’t intentional but happens because someone doesn’t
have the skills or support needed to care for someone. That doesn’t make the
impact of it any less, but it can help to understand how it happened.
Someone may abuse or neglect a child or young person by inflicting harm, or
by failing to prevent harm. Children or young people may be abused in a
family, or in an institutional or community setting by those known to them or,
more rarely, by others (e.g. via the internet). They may be abused by an adult
or adults, or another child or young person or children or young people.
According to the department of health ,Abuse is a violation of an individual's
human and civil rights by any other person or persons. ... Abuse can occur in
any relationship and may result in significant harm to, or exploitation of, the
person subjected to it.
Abuse can take place anywhere either in a family or health care setting and
anyone can be involved in all sorts of abuse.
,THEORIES OF ABUSE
1.Medical:
There is a perception that child abuse is a disorder with signs and symptoms
that are unique. This approach suggests it is possible to handle and 'cure'
child abuse. The dynamics in certain cases of violence are not taken into
consideration.
2.Sociological:
This theory looks at our changing society and the impact this has had on
family life. For example- unemployment, low wages, poor housing, poor health
leads to abusive situations. However statistics show abuse also occurs in
families who have a high income etc.
3.Psychological :
This theory focuses on family functioning and how people relate to one
another within their family unit. It looks at family dysfunction and breakdown
as factors suggest the use of therapy can reduce or prevent abuse
4. Feminist :
Focuses on the power relationship between men and women within and family
and believes that most abusers are male. Statistics suggest otherwise.
TYPES OF ABUSE
Case 1: Liam
(https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-36333032 )
Liam Fee was a 2 year old child who suffered terribly at the hands of his
mother and her partner.They both reportedly assaulted Liam till he could not
take it any longer. He died in a bedroom of the family home on Saturday 22
March 2014.
,During the period of this assault His nursery alerted social services after they
became worried about a change in a little boy who had seemed happy when
he first came to them.Staff found a number of injuries on him and he was
losing weight.Liam's childminder had also made her concerns known a few
months earlier.He had more than 30 injuries including a ruptured heart and
double fractures of his thigh bone and arm.Liam died in the hands of those
who should have protected him.
Liam experienced physical abuse and intellectual abuse.
Physical abuse:
Physical abuse is defined as physical injury inflicted on a child by other than
accidental means. The statutes define physical injury as anything from severe
or frequent bruising to more serious injuries.
Intellectual abuse;
Intellectual abuse may occur when the cognitive development of the child or
young person deteriorates. This could happen as a result of different reasons.
When a child or young person is subjected to abusive situations they may not
be able to function well intellectually. An example could be, a child who is
developmentally halted and unable to think correctly, this could be due to the
distress caused by emotional abuse, due to the experience of pain or hunger
or due to the child being frightened for their personal safety.
Indicators
1.Behaviour:
Because of the trauma of the encounter, all types of abuse can change the
actions of the infant or young individual. Since they feel unable to avoid or
prevent the abuse they encounter, all individuals treat trauma in their own
way..Liam was reported by his nursery to have been unhappy.
2.Hunger
, This indicates that the child or young person does not receive a sufficient
amount of food or nutrients at their home environment this can lead to weight
loss and growth irregularities just like in Liam.
3.Injuries:
Some children and young people, however, are methodically abused and
mistreated and it is crucial to be vigilant in identifying signs of unexplained
injuries.In liams case the nursery staff found a number of injuries on him and
The doctors found more than 30 injuries including a ruptured heart and double
fractures of his thigh bone and arm.
Case 2: 7 year old girl
(https://wset.com/amp/news/nation-world/3-charged-in-one-of-the-worst-child-
abuse-cases-7-year-old-girl-beaten-choked-police )
This case is about a girl who was abused physically and emotionally.she was
found by the police in her abusers home with
"extensive bruising."
Officers said the child's face had severe bruising to where her eyes were
almost swollen shut.
The girl was taken to the hospital for a medical examination that showed acute
bruising over her entire body.She told police that her abusers repeatedly beat
her with their fists, choked her until she lost consciousness, and cut her hair
off.
At the hospital, detectives furthered photographed and spoke with the girl and
she told them she couldn't take the abuse anymore.
The physical and emotional trauma suffered by this child is one of the worst, if
not the worst case of child abuse.
Physical abuse indicators
