10C - Child Maltreatment
P3: Explain the factors that would lead to suspicion of child maltreatment or abuse.

Child maltreatment, also referred to as child maltreatment and neglect, includes all the various forms of abuse ranging from physical, emotional and sexual abuse to neglect and exploitation. This type of abuse can result in the potential or actual harm to a child's health, there development and dignity.

Physical Abuse:

Physical abuse also defined as non-accidental trauma or physical injury, of which can be caused by punching, beating, kicking, biting, burning or harming the child. Physical abuse is the most visible and second most common form of child maltreatment.

In most cases, physical abuse is the result of …show more content…

Emotional abuse can be more psychologically damaging than physical abuse. There are many reasons for this. In the most violent families, the incidents that happen go round often in a reoccurring cycle. Early on in the abuse cycle, violent outbursts are followed closely behind a brief period of remorse, attention, affection, and generosity; however there is no genuine compassion that is expressed. Emotional abuse happens almost every day, the effects of which can prove more harmful due to the fact that they occur so frequently. Behavioural indicators of child maltreatment include: * Attempts at running away * Fear of going home * Stilted conversation, vacant stares etc * Little to no attempt at seeking comfort when they are hurt * Describes themselves as bad and that they deserve to be punished * Are unable to recall how injuries occurred, or offer up an inconsistent explanation * Wary of adults * Reluctant to go home * Often absent from school/child care * Flinch if they are touched unexpectedly * Extremely aggressive or withdrawn * Abusive behaviour and language in play * Overly compliant and/or eager to please * Unhealthy sleeping