Physical Abuse
What is it?
Deliberately hurting an adult, causing injuries such as bruises, broken bones, burns or cuts, or otherwise causing harm. It could also be when a carer fabricates the symptoms of, or deliberately induces illness, or misuses medication.
Types of Physical Abuse
- Assault, hitting, slapping, punching, kicking, hair-pulling, biting, pushing
- Rough handling
- Scalding and burning
- Physical punishments
- Inappropriate or unlawful use of restraint
- Making someone purposefully uncomfortable (e.g. opening a window and removing blankets)
- 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)
Possible signs
- Multiple bruising
- Fractures
- Injuries in places not normally exposed to falls or rough games
- Burns
- Bed sores
- Fear
- Depression
- Unexplained weight loss
- Assault (can be intentional or reckless)
- Failure to seek medical treatment, or a pattern of visiting different hospitals or doctors over a short period of time.