Safeguarding children and adults at risk of abuse or neglect policy and procedure

It is generally accepted that there are these types of abuse:

• physical abuse

• emotional (or psychological) abuse

• sexual abuse

• neglect

Physical abuse

Examples:

• Shaking

• Pinching

• Slapping

• Force-feeding

• Biting

• Burning or scalding

• Causing needless physical discomfort

• Inappropriate restraint

• Locking someone in a room

Signs

• Unexplained bruising, marks or injuries on any part of the body

• Frequent visits to the GP or A&E

• An injury inconsistent with the explanation offered

• Fear of parents or carers being approached for an explanation

• Aggressive behaviour or severe temper outbursts

• Flinching when approached

• Reluctance to get changed or wearing long sleeves in hot weather

• Depression

• Withdrawn behaviour or other behaviour change

• Running away from home or residential care

• Distrust of adults, particularly those with whom a close relationship would normally be expected

Emotional/psychological abuse

Examples:

• Intimidation and/or threats

• Bullying

• Rejection

• Shouting

• Indifference and the withdrawal of approval

• Denial of choice

• Deprivation of dignity or privacy

• The denial of human and civil rights

• Harassment

• Being made to fear for one's well being

Signs

• A failure to thrive or grow

• Sudden speech disorders

• Developmental delay, either in terms of physical or emotional progress

• Behaviour change

• Being unable to play or socialise with others

• Fear of making mistakes

• Self harm

• Fear of parent or carer being approached regarding their behaviour

• Confusion

Sexual abuse

Examples

• Rape and other sexual offences

• For adults, sexual activity including sexual contact and non-sexual contact that the person does not want, to which they have not consented, could not consent, or were pressured into consenting to

• Being encouraged or enticed to touch the abuser

• Coercing the victim into watching or participating in pornographic videos, photographs, or internet images

• Any sexual relationship that develops where one is in a position of trust, power or authority

Signs

• Pain or itching in the genital/anal areas

• Bruising or bleeding near genital/anal areas

• Sexually transmitted disease

• Vaginal discharge or infection

• Stomach pains

• Discomfort when walking or sitting down

• Pregnancy

• Sudden or unexplained changes in behaviour, e.g. becoming aggressive or withdrawn

• Fear of being left with a specific person or group of people

• Nightmares

• Leaving home

• Sexual knowledge which is beyond their age or development age

• Sexual drawings or language

• Bedwetting

• Saying they have secrets they cannot tell anyone about

• Self harm or mutilation, sometimes leading to suicide attempts

• Eating problems such as overeating or anorexia

Neglect

Examples

• Withholding help or support necessary to carry out daily living tasks

• Ignoring medical and physical care needs

• Failing to provide access to health, social or educational support

• The withholding of medication, nutrition and heating

• Keeping someone in isolation

• Failure to intervene in situations that are dangerous to the person

• Inadequate supervision and guidance – leaving the child to cope alone, abandoning them or leaving them with inappropriate carers and failing to provide appropriate boundaries about behaviours such as under age sex or alcohol

Signs

• Constant hunger, sometimes stealing food from others

• Dirty or 'smelly'

• Loss of weight, or being constantly underweight

• Inappropriate dress for the weather

• Complaining of being tired all the time

• Not requesting medical assistance and/or failing to attend appointments

• Having few friends

• Worsening of health conditions

• Pressure sores

• Mentioning their being left alone or unsupervised

• Sore or extreme nappy rash

• Skin infections

• Lack of response to stimuli or contact

• Poor skin condition(s)

• Frozen watchfulness

• Anxiety

• Distressed

• Child moves away from parent under stress

• Little or no distress when separated from primary carer

• Inappropriate emotional responses

• Language delay