Child Abuse

Question 1

What is the overall long term objective of the lecture on child abuse?

Answer 1

Raise awareness of child abuse, identification, and action taken

This includes considering child abuse in child or parent consultations.

Question 2

What are the different types of child abuse?

Answer 2

• Neglect
• Emotional
• Physical
• Sexual

Question 3

What is neglect in the context of child abuse?

Answer 3

Passive unintentional ignoring of the child’s needs including physical, safety, emotional, intellectual, and developmental needs.

Question 4

What constitutes emotional abuse?

Answer 4

Persistently or extremely thwarting a child’s basic emotional needs through acts like frequent criticism, humiliation, and exclusion.

Question 5

Define physical abuse.

Answer 5

Deliberately inflicting injury on a child such as hitting, kicking, or burning.

Question 6

What is sexual abuse?

Answer 6

The use of a child for sexual gratification, which can include both contact and non-contact sexual abuse.

Question 7

What are the worldwide estimates of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) prevalence?

Answer 7

• Girls: 18-20%
• Boys: 8%
• Girls have a 2 or 3 fold risk compared to boys.

Question 8

Who are the primary perpetrators of sexual abuse?

Answer 8

• Adult males (majority)
• Male adolescents (25-42%)
• Females (4-5%)

Question 9

What are the possible physical consequences of child abuse?

Answer 9

• Failure of growth
• Developmental delays
• Scarring
• Neurological damage
• Death

Question 10

What are some psychological consequences of child abuse?

Answer 10

• Low self-esteem
• Relationship problems
• Externalizing behaviors
• Internalizing disorders
• Cognitive development issues

Question 11

What are verbal indicators of child abuse?

Answer 11

• Direct disclosures from the child
• Tentative disclosures from the adult
• Indirect verbal evidence

Question 12

What signs indicate possible physical abuse?

Answer 12

• Bruises and welts
• Cuts and abrasions
• Scalds and burns
• Fractures
• Head injuries

Question 13

What are some behavioral indicators of sexual abuse?

Answer 13

• Sexualized behavior
• Internalizing behaviors (e.g., anxiety)
• Externalizing behaviors (e.g., aggression)
• Somatic complaints
• Regressive behaviors

Question 14

What should you do if you suspect child abuse?

Answer 14

Ensure the child’s safety and notify the appropriate authorities such as police or social workers.

Question 15

What is the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989’s paramountcy principle?

Answer 15

The welfare and interests of the child or young person shall be the first and paramount consideration.

Question 16

What does section 15 of the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989 state?

Answer 16

Any person who believes a child is likely to be harmed may report the matter to a Social Worker or Police.

Question 17

What are the strengths of a child as a witness?

Answer 17

• Can report experiences accurately when asked open-ended questions
• Even very young children can provide valuable testimonies.

Question 18

What are some weaknesses of a child as a witness?

Answer 18

• Limited memory retrieval
• Suggestive questioning can lead to inaccuracies
• May feel ashamed or scared to disclose.

Question 19

What is problematic sexual behavior (PSB)?

Answer 19

Child-initiated behaviors involving sexual body parts that are developmentally inappropriate or harmful.

Question 20

What is the recommended approach when documenting a child’s disclosure of abuse?

Answer 20

Write down the child’s words verbatim, noting the date and time.

Question 21

Fill in the blank: The Ministry for Vulnerable Children, Oranga Tamariki is responsible for _______.

Answer 21

[child protection concerns]

Question 22

True or False: All children who have been sexually abused exhibit behavioral symptoms.

Answer 22

False

Question 23

What are the main objectives of the lecture on child abuse?

Answer 23

To become aware of child abuse issues and describe different types of child abuse, consider signs and indicators of abuse, and understand actions to take in suspected cases.

Question 24

What types of child abuse are identified?

Answer 24

• Neglect
• Emotional
• Physical
• Sexual

Question 25

What is neglect in the context of child abuse?

Answer 25

Passive unintentional ignoring of the child’s needs, including physical, safety, emotional, intellectual, and developmental needs.

Question 26

What constitutes emotional abuse?

Answer 26

Persistently thwarting a child’s emotional needs through acts like criticism, humiliation, rejection, isolation, and exposure to violence.

Question 27

Define physical abuse.

Answer 27

Deliberately inflicting injury on a child through actions like hitting, kicking, burning, or strangulation.

Question 28

What is sexual abuse?

Answer 28

The use of a child for sexual gratification, including both contact and non-contact sexual abuse.

Question 29

What are common physical indicators of abuse?

Answer 29

* Bruises and welts * Cuts and abrasions * Fractures * Burns and scalds * Head injuries

Question 30

What are the possible psychological consequences of child abuse?

Answer 30

* Low self-esteem * Relationship problems * Externalizing behaviors * Internalizing behaviors * Cognitive development issues * Post traumatic stress disorder

Question 31

What is the paramountcy principle as per the Children, Young Persons, and Their Families Act 1989?

Answer 31

The welfare and interests of the child or young person shall be the first and paramount consideration.

Question 32

True or False: Many children disclose abuse to protect familiar perpetrators.

Answer 32

True

Question 33

What should you document when a child discloses abuse?

Answer 33

Document verbatim what was said, including date, time, and any discrepancies.

Question 34

Fill in the blank: The agency responsible for child protection concerns in New Zealand is _______.

Answer 34

[Oranga Tamariki, Ministry for Vulnerable Children]

Question 35

What should you do if you suspect child abuse?

Answer 35

Ensure the child's safety and well-being is paramount and ask if the child is safe.

Question 36

What is a significant finding regarding the prevalence of childhood sexual abuse?

Answer 36

Girls have a 2 or 3 fold risk of experiencing sexual abuse compared to boys.

Question 37

What legal protection exists for those disclosing child abuse concerns?

Answer 37

No civil, criminal, or disciplinary proceedings shall lie against any person making a disclosure in good faith.

Question 38

Who should be notified in cases of imminent threat to a child's safety?

Answer 38

Police, social worker at Oranga Tamariki, or other relevant authorities.

Question 39

What is the recommended approach when a child discloses abuse?

Answer 39

Listen carefully and document the disclosure word for word, noting the date and time.

Question 40

What are the potential physical consequences of child abuse?

Answer 40

* Failure of growth * Developmental delays * Scarring * Neurological damage * Death

Question 41

What are limitations of children as witnesses?

Answer 41

Limited memory retrieval and verbal skills, difficulty obtaining full information, suggestive and coercive questioning can lead to inaccuracies. ## Footnote Examples include leading questions that imply guilt or pressure the child to provide a specific answer.

Question 42

What are key features of forensic/evidential interviewing?

Answer 42

Highly skilled, developmentally appropriate, research-based, uses free recall or open-ended questions, avoids leading or coercive practices, develops rapport, and obtains evidence. ## Footnote This approach is designed to create a safe environment for the child to disclose information.

Question 43

What is important when assessing risk while talking with a child?

Answer 43

Talk in a developmentally appropriate way, ask open-ended questions, be supportive, monitor your own response, remain calm, listen, and reassure the child. ## Footnote It's crucial to let the child know that they are not in trouble and that you believe them.

Question 44

What are the key aspects of careful documentation in child abuse cases?

Answer 44

Detailing on body charts, writing verbatim child’s disclosure, accurately recording current and historical injuries, documenting what was said, by whom, date, time, and any discrepancies. ## Footnote This documentation is vital for legal and medical follow-up.

Question 45

What does the Te Whatu Ora Child Abuse Policy & Procedures outline?

Answer 45

Who to notify, how to document, who to discuss the issue with, and self-care. ## Footnote These procedures ensure a systematic approach to handling child abuse cases.

Question 46

What things should be avoided when interacting with a child regarding abuse?

Answer 46

Jumping to conclusions based on limited evidence, suggestive questioning, introducing unmentioned content, and pressuring the child for details. ## Footnote Such actions can lead to further trauma or inaccurate reporting.

Question 47

What is your role when suspecting child abuse?

Answer 47

Consider the possibility of abuse, notice signs, document all information, assess and treat injuries, and notify/protect the child from further harm if needed. ## Footnote Taking these steps is essential for the child's safety and legal protection.

Question 48

What are some professional issues to consider in cases of child abuse?

Answer 48

Your response to the situation, managing panic or stress, seeking input from colleagues or professional services, and self-care. ## Footnote It's important to have support systems in place to handle the emotional impact of such cases.

Question 49

What resources are available if a lecture raises issues for you?

Answer 49

Student Health Services, free phone 0800 479 821, General Practitioner, Associate Deans of Student Affairs. ## Footnote These resources provide support for students dealing with the emotional impact of sensitive topics.