LYDC

3. RECOGNISING ABUSE and RESPONDING

Recognising Abuse

In the event that a person working for LYDC is concerned that a child, young person or vulnerable adult is suffering from abuse it is their responsibility to act; they must not be “passive in relation to concerns, ie, don’t do nothing” (Guidelines for the Protection of Children, Arts Council, Ireland, 2006). Everyone has a responsibility to report suspected or alleged child abuse.

Abuse can be categorised in four different ways: physical, emotional, sexual and neglect.

Physical abuse can be broadly defined in this context as an instance where a child or young person, or vulnerable adult shows physical signs of injury, these may include:

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

·       Bruises which reflect hand marks or fingertips (from slapping or pinching)

·       Cigarette burns

·       Bite marks

·       Broken bones

·       Scalds

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate physical abuse:

·       Fear of parents being approached for an explanation

·       Aggressive behaviour or severe temper outbursts

·       Flinching when approached or touched

·       Reluctance to get changed, for example wearing long sleeves in hot weather

·       Depression

·       Withdrawn behavior

·       Running away from home

Emotional Abuse is often difficult to measure. For example - a child who appears well cared for may be abused by being taunted, put down or belittled. They may receive little or no affection, love or attention by parents or primary carers. Emotional abuse may be revealed physically in a number of ways such as:

·       Failure to thrive or grow, particularly if the child puts on weight in other circumstances, e.g in hospital or away from their parents care.

·       Sudden speech disorders

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

·       Extreme lethargy or tiredness

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate emotional abuse include:

·       Neurotic behaviour e.g hair twisting, rocking

·       Being unable to play

·       Fear of making mistakes

·       Self harm

·       Fear of parent being approached regarding their behaviour

Sexual abuse is often signaled by a child, young person or vulnerable adult’s behaviour, although physical signs can also be present. In all cases those who talk about sexual abuse want it to stop. It is essential, therefore that they are listened to and taken seriously at all times.

Adults who use children or young people to meet their own sexual needs abuse both girls and boys of all ages, including infants and toddlers.

Physical signs of abuse may include:

·       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

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate sexual abuse include:

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

·       Fear of being left with a specific person

·       Running away from home

·       Sexual knowledge which is beyond their age and development level

·       Sexual drawings or language

·       Saying they have secrets they cannot tell anyone

·       Substance or drug abuse

·       Suddenly having unexplained sources of money

·       Acting in a sexually explicit way towards adults

Neglect can be a difficult form of abuse to recognise, yet have some of the most lasting and damaging effects on children. Physical signs of abuse may include:

·       Constant hunger, sometimes stealing food from another child or young person

·       Constantly dirty or ‘smelly’

·       Loss of weight, or being constantly underweight

·       Inappropriate dress for the conditions

Changes in behaviour which can also indicate neglect may include:

·       Complaining of being tired all the time

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

·       Having few friends

·       Mentioning their being left alone or unsupervised

The above list is not conclusive but is a guide to signs of physical and behavioural abuse. Children, young people and vulnerable adults who are abused may exhibit any of these indicators; the presence of one or more should be taken as proof that abuse is occurring.

Circumstances which may make children more vulnerable to harm

As stated in Children First Guidance 2017, “Children may be more vulnerable to abuse than others. Also, there may be particular times or circumstances when a child may be more vulnerable to abuse in their lives”.

Whilst not absolute, different factors may play a contributory role in making children more vulnerable to abuse or susceptible to harm, such as:

·       Parent/care factors - such as conflictual relationships, domestic violence

·       Child factors - such as age, sexuality, mental health difficulties

·       Community factors - such as  Cultural, ethnic, religious or faith-based norms which may not meet the standards of child welfare or protection required in this jurisdiction

·       Environmental factors - such as poverty, housing issues

·       Social factors - such as lack of willingness of parent to engage with services, lack of understanding of how parental behaviour might affect their child

Responding to signs, suspicions or allegations of abuse

Anyone working for LYDC may become aware of abuse occurring within different situations such as the home, at school or within a particular organisation which the child, young person or vulnerable adult attends. As well as the more obvious signs, abuse may be disclosed by for example:

·       a child talking to a friend in the particular group

·       someone else might report that they strongly believe a child or young person has been, or is being abused

·       something in the behaviour of one of the workers, children or vulnerable adult, or in the way a worker relates to them observing one child/young person/vulnerable adult abusing another.

Guidance on responding to a child, young person or vulnerable adult disclosing abuse

·       Stay calm

·       Listen carefully to what is said

·       Do not promise to keep secrets – find an appropriate moment to explain that it is likely that the information will need to be shared with others

·       Allow the person to continue at his/her own pace

·       Do not try to explain for them, allow them to use their own words, gestures etc

·       Only ask questions for clarification purposes – at all times avoid asking questions that suggest a particular answer

·       Reassure the person that they have done the right thing in telling you.

·       Tell them what you will do next and with whom the information will be shared

·       Record in writing what was said – include date, time and place of meeting as well as any names mentioned and to whom the information was given and ensure that the record is signed and dated.