Child Abuse – Key Concepts & Indicators

These 30 question-and-answer flashcards cover definitions, statistics, indicators, responsibilities, forensic considerations, and specific forms and effects of child abuse as discussed in the lecture.

What proportion of physical child-abuse cases involve injuries to the head, neck, or face?

Approximately 65 % of physical abuse cases.

How many children were reported victims of abuse or neglect in the USA in 1997?

Just under one million children.

What is the general definition of child abuse?

Any act that endangers or impairs a child's physical or emotional health or development.

Which form of maltreatment occurs in about 55 % of child-abuse cases?

Neglect.

How is dental neglect defined?

The wilful failure of a parent or guardian to seek and obtain treatment for dental problems that cause pain, infection, or interfere with function.

Name the four principal types of child abuse.

Physical abuse, emotional (psychological) abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect.

List five common factors that may contribute to child abuse.

Stress, family crisis, lack of support network, substance/alcohol abuse, learned behaviour.

Under the National Child Rights Act, what four responsibilities do healthcare workers have regarding child abuse?

Detection, documentation, treatment, and notification of authorities (e.g., police).

What is the primary role of the police once a suspicion of child abuse is reported?

To determine whether abuse has occurred and, if so, charge the perpetrator in court.

Which four categories of indicators make up the standard detection protocol for child abuse?

Child behavioural indicators, child history indicators, caretaker indicators, and physical indicators.

Which behavioural indicator of abuse might actually be cultural and should therefore be ruled out first?

Lack of eye contact.

Give three behavioural signs that may suggest a child is being abused.

Wary of parent/guardian, fear of touch, inappropriate language (others include over-anxious to please, dramatic mood changes, etc.).

Premature infants are how many times more likely to be abused than term-birth children?

Seven times more likely.

Compared with non-abused peers, how much more likely are abused children to have untreated dental caries?

About eight times more likely.

State two caretaker indicators that may raise suspicion of abuse.

Giving an injury explanation inconsistent with the facts and delaying seeking care (others: substance abuse, vague story, hostile attitude, etc.).

Which ocular finding is diagnostic of shaken-baby syndrome?

Retinal haemorrhage.

Burns on a child’s lips are most consistent with what abusive action?

Forced feeding of hot food.

A bruised frenum in a non-ambulatory child typically indicates what?

Forced feeding.

The presence of oral or peri-oral syphilis or gonorrhoea in a child is pathognomonic of what?

Sexual abuse.

Palatal petechiae or erythema in a child’s mouth is probably indicative of which type of abuse?

Sexual abuse.

What percentage of bite marks are visible while a child is clothed?

About 65 %.

An intercuspal distance of ≥ 3 cm in a bite mark suggests it was inflicted by whom?

An adult.

What intercuspal distance range (in cm) indicates a bite mark from a small adult or large child?

2.5 – 3 cm.

Which impression material is preferred for taking bite-mark impressions in a sedated child?

Polyether impression material, reinforced with an outer plaster matrix.

When collecting forensic evidence, what must be maintained for all samples?

A strict chain of custody.

Define physical child abuse.

Intentional use of physical force against a child that results in, or is likely to result in, harm to health, survival, development, or dignity.

How is child sexual abuse (CSA) defined?

An adult or older adolescent’s use of a child for sexual stimulation.

Name three potential psychological effects of CSA on victims.

Guilt and self-blame, nightmares, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (others include depression, anxiety, self-injury, etc.).

According to APSAC (1995), what behaviours constitute psychological abuse?

Spurning, terrorizing, isolating, exploiting, corrupting, denying emotional responsiveness, or neglect.

Provide the standard definition of child neglect.

Failure of a responsible person to provide necessary food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision, endangering the child’s health, safety, or well-being.