Notifcation

Contact the DOCS 24 hour Helpline 13 36 27.

Indicators for Neglect / Physical Abuse / Emotional Abuse / Sexual Abuse

Neglect

In children the indicators are: poor standards of hygiene leading to social isolation, scavenging or stealing food, extended stays at school, public places and others homes, being focussed on basic survival, extreme longing for adult affection, a flat and superficial way of relating, lacking of a sense of genuine interaction, anxiety about being dropped or abandoned, self comforting behaviour (rocking, sucking), non-organic failure to thrive, delay in developmental milestones, loss of "skin bloom" (tone/texture), poor hair texture, untreated physical problems, including dental caries.

In parents and carers the indicators are: failure to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical attention, hygenic home conditions or leaving the child without appropriate supervision, inability to respond emotionally to a child, child abandoned, depriving or withholding physical contact or stimulation for prolonged periods, failure to provide psychological nurturing, one child treated differently.

Physical Abuse

In children the indicators are: bruising which may suggest the shape of the object that caused it (teeth marks), lacerations, internal injury, fractures especially under 3 years of age, dislocations, burns and scalds, child's explanation of injury inconsistent with the injury, ingestion of poisonous substances, head injury (drowsiness, vomiting, retinal haemhorrage), female genital mutilation.

In parents and carers the indicators are: direct admissions, fear of child injury, past history of violence, past history of own child abuse, repeated presentations of the child with minor injury, etc.

Emotional Abuse

In children the indicators are: feelings of worthlessness about life and themselves, inability to value others, lack of trust in people and expectations, lack of interpersonal skills, attention seeking behaviour, violence, bullying, presence of other abuse.

In parents and carers the indicators are: constant criticism, teasing of a child, ignoring or withholding praise and affection, excessive and unreasnable demands, verbal abuse, belief that a child is evil, inappropriate punishment, domestic violence.

Sexual Abuse

In children the indicators are: description of sexual acts, age inappropriate behaviour, persistent sexual behaviour, self destructive behaviour (drug dependency, suicide attempts, self mutilation, running away from home, anorexia, over-eating, going to bed fully clothed, behavioural regression, contact with a known offender, unexplained accumulation of money and gifts, anogenital bleeding and injury, STDs, adolescent pregnancy, breast, buttock and thigh trauma, general indicators of stress (poor concentration at school, nightmares, bed wetting, stomach aches, headaches, etc).

In parents, carers, acquaintances and other relatives the indicators are: exposing the child to prostitution, pornography and sexual behaviour, past convictions/indictments for sexual abuse, coercing child to participate in sexual acts, verbal threats of sexual abuse, pregnancy denial by family.