Symptoms: Physical
Types of physical abuse
E
Assault, hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, hair-pulling, biting, pushing
E
Rough handling
E
Scalding and burning
E
Inappropriate or unlawful use of restraint
E
Making someone purposefully uncomfortable (e.g. opening a window and removing blankets)
E
Physical punishments
E
Involuntary isolation or confinement
E
Misuse of medication (e.g. over-sedation)
E
Forcible feeding or withholding food
E
Unauthorised restraint, restricting movement (e.g. tying someone to a chair)
Possible indicators of physical abuse
E
No explanation for injuries or inconsistency with the account of what happened
E
Injuries are inconsistent with the person’s lifestyle
E
Bruising, cuts, welts, burns and/or marks on the body or loss of hair in clumps
E
Frequent injuries
E
Unexplained falls
E
Subdued or changed behaviour in the presence of a particular person
E
Signs of malnutrition
E
Failure to seek medical treatment or frequent changes of GP
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