Abuse and neglect are forms of maltreatment of a child. Somebody may abuse or neglect a child by inflicting harm, or by failing to act to prevent harm. A child may be abused or neglected by parents, cohabitees, step-parents, substitute parents, siblings, relatives, friends, neighbours and strangers. A child may be abused at home, at school, in an institutional or community setting, or via the internet and may be subject to more than one type of abuse. Child abuse occurs throughout society and affects children of all ages.
There are certain parental responses which are known, by research and experience, to suggest a cause for concern. These include:
- an unexplained delay in seeking treatment that is obviously needed, or it is sought at an inappropriate time;
- a lack of awareness or denial of any injury;
- incompatible explanations are offered; or the child is said to have acted in a way that is inappropriate to its age and development; or several different explanations are offered; (N.B. The child and/or other members of the family may support the explanations, however improbable)
- a reluctance to give information, or failure to mention previous injuries known to have occurred;
- the family has attended Accident and Emergency departments unusually frequently with appropriate and inappropriate requests for attention;
- a constant presentation of minor injuries, which may represent ‘a cry for help’, which, if ignored, may lead to more serious injury. Attention may be sought for other problems unrelated to the injury, which may not even be mentioned;
- unrealistic expectations of the child, or constant complaints about the child. Parents may show a violent reaction to a child’s naughty behaviour;
- consent for further medical investigation is refused;
- the parents are drunk or under the influence of drugs or cannot be found;
- the parents ask for the child to be removed from home or indicate difficulties coping with the child.
