GCU The Importance of Recognizing Abuse Signs Discussion Response – Description
reply a discussion:
Catherine
The CDC defines child abuse as “any act or series of acts of commission or omission by a parent or other caregiver (e.g., clergy, coach, teacher) that results in harm, potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child” (Faulkner et al, 2022). Physical, psychological, or sexual child abuse manifest in a variety of ways creating lifelong severe consequences for the child involved. A school aged child may present with signs of abuse such as unexplained bruises, fractures, cuts or burns inconsistent with the explanation given or a frequency of injuries. The child may also complain of difficulty sleeping, nightmares, bed wetting, sudden fear of particular people or places, unexplained mood swings, depression, low self-esteem or displays of aggression. They may also engage in play that involves sexually stimulating toys or inappropriate sexual touching of themselves or other children or complain of pain or bruising in or around the genital area. This age group may refuse to talk about a secret they have with an adult or have difficulty trusting others (Zeanah, 2018).
Each cultural has their own variations of traditional and disciplinary practices as it related to raising their children. As health care professionals it is important to be well versed in different cultural practices and be able to differentiate misidentified abuse. Southeast Asians, especially in Viet Nam perform a practiced referred to as Coin rubbing, that could be misidentified as abuse. The coin is rubbed repeatedly until blood appears under the skin and ultimately leaves marks on the skin that can last a few days. The practice is said to relieve a variety of illness. Coining is associated with serious complications according to western medicine and has been confused with child abuse by physicians unfamiliar to Asian cultures (Tan & Malika, 2011).
Parents should be vigilant and thoroughly educated on the prevention of abuse along with the signs and symptoms of abuse in order to intervene quickly. Some factors that could increase the risk for abuse in a school aged child would be a child with a disability or special needs or a parent or caregivers with drug or alcohol abuse issues (CDC, 2022). Health care professional can refer caregivers to community and social services as well as case management to coordinate appropriate services.
In PA we have what’s called the “Childline” ran by the state Human Resources department, where a mandated reporter can make a verbal or electronic statement of suspected child abuse. After a report is made a Childline specialist then determines the most appropriate course of action. For example, the specialist may contact the County Children and Youth Agencies, or the Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF), for investigation, assessment or employ law enforcement officials if further inquiry is needed. More so, in the state of PA when renewing your license the nurse must also take a child abuse CEU as part of renewal to ensure all nurses are well versed in proper reporting.
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