Diploma of Children’s Services CHCCCN520C Advocate for the rights of children and young people

1. Diploma of Children’s Services CHCCCN520C Advocate for the rights of children and young people Identify indicators of Child Abuse. Julie Carmel

2. What is abuse? Child abuse is an act oromission by an adult that endangers or impairs a child physical oremotional health and development.

3. What is abuse? Child abuse is an act oromission by an adult that endangers or impairs a child physical oremotional health and development.

4. Identifying Child Abuse This can be a very difficult thing to identify Children can be harmed both physically and emotionally.

5. Types of abuse PHYSICAL EMOTIONAL SEXUAL .PHSYOLOGICAL

6. Privacy and Confidentiality in Early Childhood The Information Privacy Act 2000 and the Health Records Act 2001 was introduced to provide a legal framework to support the appropriate balance between the free flow of information for the public good and the protection of privacy of personal information. They guarantee that organisations manage personal information according to the law.

7. Legal Definition of a Child in Need of Protection The legal definition of a child in need of protection is provided by theChildren and Young Persons Act 1989, Section 63. Interpretation of theparents capacity and willingness to Protect is made with regard to thedegree of community support and services available to assist theparent in this responsibility. For the purpose of this Act a child is in need of protection if any of thefollowing grounds exist: The child has been abandoned by their parent and afterreasonable inquiries:i) the parents can not be found; and,ii) no other suitable person can be found who is willing and ableto care for the child; b) The child’s parents are dead or incapacitated and there is no othersuitable person willing or able to care for the child; c) The child has suffered or is likely to suffer, significant harm as aresult of physical injury and the child’s parents have not protected,or are unlikely to protect, the child from harm of that type;

8. Legislation Cont d) The child has suffered or is likely to suffer, significant harm as aresult of sexual abuse and the child’s parents have not protected,or are unlikely to protect, the child from harm of that type; e) The child has suffered or is likely to suffer, emotional orpsychological harm of such a kind that the child’s emotional andintellectual development is, or is likely to be, significantlydamaged and the child’s parents have not protected, or areunlikely to protect, the child from harm of that type; f) The child’s physical development or health has been, or is likelyto be, significantly harmed and the child’s parents have notprovided, arranged or allowed the provision of, or are unlikely toprovide, arrange or allow the provision of, basic care or effectivemedical, surgical or other remedial care.

9. Indicators of Harm Physical Indicators bruises burns scalds welts internal injuries shaking injuries strangulation injury to genital or rectal area bleeding or bruising discomfort in urinating or defecating frequent urinary tract infections vaginal or anal bleeding or discharge sexually transmitted diseases pregnancy especially in very youngadolescents

10. Indicators Cont. The child or young person is: treated as a scapegoat emotionally rejected isolated verbally abused continuallydevalued exposed to domestic violence The child or young person is notprovided with: a safe environment

11. Behavioural indicators wary of physical contact with adults frightened of parent expresses little or no emotion when hurt unduly compliant, shy, withdrawn,passive, uncommunicative offers unlikely explanation for injuries nervous, hyperactive, aggressive,disruptive child tells of abuse persistent and age-inappropriate sexualactivity regressive behaviour,… bed-wetting,speech loss delinquent or aggressive behaviour self-injurious behaviour alcoholabuse, self mutilation, suicide attempts,prostitution shows signs of depression compliant, passive, undemanding low self esteem demanding, aggressive and angry antisocial and destructive attention seeking indiscriminate with affection constantly miserable and irritable

12. Who abuses Children Child abuse happens across all families and cultures. Statistics show that Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander children have a higher risk of abuse Biological parental abuse accounts for 63% of abuse 81% by someone the child knows

13. Risk Factors Warning Research and experience has found that combinations of the followingfactors are commonly associated with heightened risk to children oryoung people: Note: Carers can include any parent, carer or adult inthe household.

14. Parents or carers Prior Child Protectionhistory Prior substantiated abuse reports. Escalating concern or pattern of contact withChild Protection service. If parent or carer: Was under 20 at birth of first child. Was abused as a child. Is not the biological parent Has an intellectual disability. Is socially isolated the family is severelyfragmented

15. Carer/s history of violentrelationships Physically abused a child (past or present). Been a perpetrator of domestic violence. Been a victim of domestic violence. A history of other violence.

16. Carer/s current problemsIf a carer has problems concerning: Alcohol abuse. Abuse of other drugs (with or withoutalcohol). Psychiatric illness. Self-esteem. Apathy or depression.

17. Carer/s beliefs about thechild Describes (or acts toward) the child in apredominately negative manner Has unrealistic expectations.

18. Carer/s history ofperpetrating sexual assault If a carer has a history of perpetrating sexual assault Of children. Of adults.

19. Parenting skills of carer/s Use of excessive punishment or inappropriatediscipline. A domineering parenting style (highcriticism/low warmth family type). A lack of motivation or realism regardingimprovement of parenting skills.

20. Response to investigationor incident by carer/s . • Viewed the situation less seriously than didthe Child Protection worker. • Failed to cooperate satisfactorily.

21. The child If the child: Is under two years. Shows evidence of physical abuse/shaking. Is premature, disabled, chronically ill. Has difficulty feeding, sleeping, cries a lot. Was born underweight or drug dependant. Another child or youngperson in the home If any child or young person in the home has: A developmental/other disability. A history of self-harm/suicide (talk orattempt). A history of offending. Violent behaviour. A mental health problem. Substance abuse problems. Recent significant behaviour change. A history of multiple separations or no stableplacement, for example, no stable dayprogram(education/employment/other. .

22. Did you know? • 65% of children murdered in Australia were killed by there parents. • Girls are 3 times more likely to be the victims of sustained sexual abuse • Children under 12 months are more likely to be victims of neglect • 2 year olds burns • 3 year olds abuse • Abused children are more likely to be from single parent (female headed) or from blended family compared o two parent intact families

23. Defining Abuse Physical Abuse • Common sign repetitive Accidents • Multiple bruises, wounds, abrasions • Variety of wounds in different stages of healing • Absence of injuries after hospitalisation or change of caregiver

24. Bruises Bruises are leakage of blood into the skin that is produced by tissue damage from a direct blow or a crushing injury • Are the earliest and most visible sign of child abuse • Bruises on face, buttocks, upper arm, trunk, front of thighs, side of faces, ears, neck, stomach and genitals • Colour of bruises vary on body, from old to fresh • Shape of bruise

25. What to check for • Depth of bruise • Pattern • Number • Location • Appearance • Explanation

26. Burns • Immersion Burns- caused by immersing in hot water or liquid • Cigarette burn marks- circle like marks over body • Contact burns from flames or hot solid objects • Burns in mouth- from drinking chemicals

27. What to look for • Depth of burn • Pattern • Number • Location • Appearance • Explanation

28. Poisoning Agents commonly used- barbiturates, tranquillisers and drugs, insulin, ipecac,arsenic,laxatives, salt,alcohol, marijuana and opiates

29. Indicators • Cause major changes in child’s behaviour ranging from • irritability, • listlessness, • lethargy, • stupor, • convulsions, • coma • death

30. Eye injuries • Two black eyes together • Raccoon eyes/ panda eyes- head trauma • Hyphema ( entry of blood into front chamber of eyes) • Pain in eyes and visual problems • Retinal haemomorrhage- shaken bay syndrome

31. Internal Injuries Injuries to a child’s internal organs is usually caused by a blow with a heavy object to abdomen or squeezing child hard Is the smallest percentage of child abuse cases of those who do over 50% die

32. Signs and symptoms • Swollen or distended abdomen • Abdominal, chest, flank, back pain • Bruising of chest and or abdomen • Laboured/ painful breathing • Nausea • Vomiting blood • Vomiting

33. Fractures and dislocations Most fractures are inflicted on non walking children • 90% of abusive fractures in children up to 2 years, include ribs from being squeezed tightly • Ribs • Arms • Legs • Noses • Jaws • Skull

34. Indicators • Varity of fractures in different stages of healing • Symmetrical fractures • Breathing difficulty (ribs)

35. Neurological Injuries • Skull, brain or spinal cord damage • Intracranial haemorrhage • Subdural hematoma • Caused when child is choked, under arms,upside down for long periods, shaken

36. What to look for • Lethargy • Excessive sleepiness • Blood in eyes • Child unable to focus eyes • Blood oozing from nose, ears • Paralysis • Developmental delay • On set of cerebral palsy • Bald areas on head • Can lead to death

37. Ears, teeth, mouth and lips • Damage to ears • Bruised earlobe • Dislodged tooth with bruising present • Torn frenulum • Swollen or bruised lips

38. Causes/ results Ears • Hearing loss • Bleeding form ears • Pinching of ear lobes Teeth/mouth/lips • Strong blow to mouth • Forced feeding • Hand held over mouth for extended period of time

39. Bites • Human bite marks appear as distinctive oval shaped bruises facing each other • If the distance between the canines is greater than 3 cm adult bite • Torn flesh - animal bite- intact adult • Adult bite sign of uncontrolled • aggression

40. Welts, Grooves, lacerations • Red marks on child’s body caused by restraining child • Pattern of belt or loop pattern of whipping • Unusual cut marks on child’s body

41. Indicators • Marks made on areas that not normally associated with restraint i.e. penis • Pattern location, depth of cuts made by objects

42. Important information • Lacerations on ear,nose and throat do not tend to occur accidentally • Some areas on the body are naturally protected i.e. • Inner thigh • Inside of foot • Under arms These areas are unlikely to become injured accidentally

43. In Conclusion All professionals working with children and/or their familiesshare in the responsibility of protecting children. A professionalethical and legal responsibility, and their duty of care, all persons employed and working with children have a legal obligation to report any suspected child abuse. (mandated)