Symptoms: Physical

Types of physical abuse

Assault, hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, hair-pulling, biting, pushing

Rough handling

Scalding and burning

Inappropriate or unlawful use of restraint

Making someone purposefully uncomfortable (e.g. opening a window and removing blankets)

Physical punishments

Involuntary isolation or confinement

Misuse of medication (e.g. over-sedation)

Forcible feeding or withholding food

Unauthorised restraint, restricting movement (e.g. tying someone to a chair)

No explanation for injuries or inconsistency with the account of what happened

Injuries are inconsistent with the person’s lifestyle

Bruising, cuts, welts, burns and/or marks on the body or loss of hair in clumps

Frequent injuries

Unexplained falls

Subdued or changed behaviour in the presence of a particular person

Signs of malnutrition

Failure to seek medical treatment or frequent changes of GP